2027 Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Educational/Instructional Technology](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/educational-instructional-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value educational/instructional technology schools.
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2027 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
For return on investment in educational/instructional technology, no school beat Fort Hays State University this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $25,967. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $59,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in educational/instructional technology will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $24,304. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $49,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pittsburg State University earned it the #3 place for educational/instructional technology. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $22,669. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $52,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational/instructional technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. 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. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #7 for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the educational/instructional technology program here. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Capella University earn a median of $73,738 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University placed #8 among the best values for educational/instructional technology. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #9 position for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $25,260. Educational/instructional Technology graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $61,959 early in their careers. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dakota State University earned the #10 position for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational/instructional technology graduates is $28,724. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $51,970. Set against $28,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Baker University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value educational/instructional technology schools. Set in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational/instructional technology degree recipients from Baker University generally make around $62,916. Set against $29,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Walden University earned the #12 position for value in educational/instructional technology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Educational/instructional Technology graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Early-career educational/instructional technology graduates make about $65,192. Set against $49,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.