2027 Best Value Business Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Business Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/business-education/) 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 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value business education schools.
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2027 Best Value Business Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Valley City State University the best value for a degree in business education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,394. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $51,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #2 spot this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,943. Early-career business education graduates make about $47,254. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in business education will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $23,082. Business Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $41,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,082 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peru State College earned it the #4 place for business education. Peru State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Peru. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,254. Business Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for business education. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Business Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $46,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Dickinson State University earned the #6 position for value in business education this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Minot State University earned the #7 position for value in business education this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Wayne State College placed #8 among the best values for business education. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Business Education graduates carry a median of $25,957 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value business education schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Black Hills State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value business education schools. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $42,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #11 spot for business education value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,287. Early-career business education graduates make about $49,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Emporia State University landed the #12 spot for business education value this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #13 position for value in business education this year. 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 $26,221 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Winona State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value business education schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $44,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Mary came in at #15 for value in business education this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $27,399. Early-career business education graduates make about $65,565. That is a strong return on a $27,399 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University earned the #16 position for value in business education this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Students borrow a median of $29,008 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University landed the #17 spot for business education value this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Business Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $50,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
William Penn University earned the #18 position for value in business education this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Business Education graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $39,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #19 for value in business education this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Business Education graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $57,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #20 position for value in business education this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Bethany College Kansas came in at #21 for value in business education this year. Located in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,000 in tuition and fees. Business Education graduates carry a median of $24,438 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $29,106. That is a strong return on a $24,438 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
