2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong curriculum & instruction education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value curriculum & instruction schools.
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2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Chadron State College tops our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,912. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $60,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Peru State College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $53,549 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $51,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State College earned it the #5 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $53,346. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,741. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $52,217 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #7 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $44,060. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern State University earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $51,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #10 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $62,695. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Sitting Bull College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Sitting Bull College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Yates. Students from in state pay about $4,010 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $28,488 ten years out.
Emporia State University landed the #12 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,131. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,656. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #13 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $46,058. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $29,750. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,386. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $51,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #17 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Capella University came in at #18 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $67,984. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Dakota placed #19 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,110. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #20 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,608. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $55,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #21 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University earned the #22 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $29,317. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #23 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #24 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,909. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lindenwood University earned the #25 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $83,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
