2027 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the reading teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Valley City State University earned the #1 spot for value among reading teacher education schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $24,394. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $51,170 early in their careers. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #2 place for reading teacher education. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Set against $25,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in reading teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $43,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #4 place for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $52,307 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #5 place for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $21,175. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #6 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best values for reading teacher education. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $23,000. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #9 among the best values for reading teacher education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,221. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Black Hills State University earned the #10 position for value in reading teacher education this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,820. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $47,494. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #11 among the best values for reading teacher education. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $30,294 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $39,237 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,294 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Capella University earned the #12 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $35,998. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $92,971. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $40,495. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary placed #14 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $27,399 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $43,299. That is a strong return on a $27,399 median debt. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota placed #15 among the best values for reading teacher education. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,110. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $56,934. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #16 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $48,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #17 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $53,463. Set against $26,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of South Dakota landed the #18 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $42,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Evangel University came in at #19 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $30,175 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. Set against $30,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Hamline University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,530. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $63,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University earned the #21 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $50,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Park University came in at #22 for value in reading teacher education this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $22,112. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Park University generally make around $44,603. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Sioux Falls ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $46,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #24 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Seward ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,640. Students borrow a median of $23,670 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $49,530. That is a strong return on a $23,670 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s reading teacher education value ranking:
Narrow Reading Teacher Education Schools by State
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
