2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota tops our 2027 list of the best value general education schools in the The Plains States Region. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. General Education graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $59,959 early in their careers. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mayville State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,971. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for general education. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,029. General Education graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Highland Community College Highland, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minot State University earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,741. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $50,872. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,819. General Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #10 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. General Education graduates carry a median of $33,449 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,247. That is a strong return on a $33,449 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $55,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $38,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,551. General Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $52,019 early in their careers. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College placed #14 among the best values for general education. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,224. General Education graduates of Martin Luther College earn a median of $31,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,224 median debt. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Capella University landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $74,309. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Iowa State University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,496. General Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $64,634 early in their careers. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #17 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Avila University placed #19 among the best values for general education. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,750. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Tabor College landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,200 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. Tabor College admits about 65% of applicants.
Hamline University came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $52,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis placed #23 among the best values for general education. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,553. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Grand View University placed #24 among the best values for general education. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Students borrow a median of $26,941 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,180. That is a strong return on a $26,941 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
York College Nebraska came in at #25 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of York, York College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Students borrow a median of $28,370 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $34,170. Set against $28,370 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education value ranking:
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
