2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region

[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general educational leadership & administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general educational leadership & administration students.
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2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general educational leadership & administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
For return on investment in general educational leadership & administration, no school beat Saint Marys University Of Minnesota this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $84,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in general educational leadership & administration will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $64,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $76,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $56,676. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $62,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wayne State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $65,798. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,245 early in their careers. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $51,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #9 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $39,434. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #10 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,943. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $54,832 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #11 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $73,847 early in their careers. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $22,173. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $64,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pittsburg State University earned the #13 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $57,469 early in their careers. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $47,316. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Emporia State University earned the #15 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $60,072. 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 #16 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,585. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $48,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #17 spot for general educational leadership & administration 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, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $18,980. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $82,742. Set against $18,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #18 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $46,212. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northern State University earned the #19 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $26,143. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $45,824. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #20 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $68,422. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #21 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Mary ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $54,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #23 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $71,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #24 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $47,570. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $35,697 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $37,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,697 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general educational leadership & administration:
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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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.