2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong higher education/higher education administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in higher education/higher education administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Saint Cloud State University earned the #1 spot for value among higher education/higher education administration schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,076. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $76,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $51,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,943. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $54,832. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Missouri State University earned it the #4 place for higher education/higher education administration. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southeast Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $46,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #6 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $47,570. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Dakota placed #7 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. 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 higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $68,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Kansas earned the #8 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $70,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Capella University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. 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 higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Capella University earn a median of $67,347 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Mercy University landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,709 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
Lindenwood University earned the #11 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $28,663. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $56,609. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $66,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Sioux Falls placed #13 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $59,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,499. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $78,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $67,785. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $64,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Baker University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Baldwin City. Students from in state pay about $35,200 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Baker University earn a median of $75,013 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,554 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $27,337. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #19 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $94,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $47,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Walden University earned the #21 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $48,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
