2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marketing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 130 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marketing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marketing Schools
For return on investment in marketing, no school beat Kirkwood Community College this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $14,437 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #2 place for marketing. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at Century College, which ranked #3. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Marketing graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Garden City Community College earned it the #4 place for marketing. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #6 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $22,587. Marketing graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $44,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #7 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $16,734. Early-career marketing graduates make about $48,652. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $30,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Normandale Community College came in at #9 for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Marketing graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. That is a strong return on a $20,162 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #10 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #11 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,400 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $49,277. That is a strong return on a $23,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #12 for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $37,259. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Johnson County Community College came in at #13 for value in marketing this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. That is a strong return on a $13,532 median debt.
Wichita State University earned the #14 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,250. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Washburn University earned the #15 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $47,963. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #16 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Marketing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $59,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #17 for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Marketing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $48,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #18 spot for marketing value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $42,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $45,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #20 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $32,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Missouri Western State University came in at #21 for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $43,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #22 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $43,320. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #23 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $21,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $48,204. Set against $21,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #24 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $51,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in marketing this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Marketing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for marketing this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
