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