2026 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Educational/Instructional Technology](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/educational-instructional-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for educational/instructional technology students.
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2026 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the educational/instructional technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools
Fort Hays State University tops our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools in the The Plains States Region. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. 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 educational/instructional technology program here. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $59,495. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in educational/instructional technology will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $22,635. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $46,054. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in educational/instructional technology will find it at Northwest Missouri State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #4 place for educational/instructional technology. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $49,628. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational/instructional technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $22,112. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $55,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #6 spot for educational/instructional technology value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology 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.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $24,408. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Buena Vista University earned the #8 position for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #9 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $73,738. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #10 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $61,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pittsburg State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $52,888. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #12 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $27,081. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $59,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.