2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for science education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Science Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Chadron State College the best value for a degree in science education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $46,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for science education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Science Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $47,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Peru State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science education, landing the #3 spot this year. Peru State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Peru. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the science education program here. Science 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.
Truman State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $23,168. Early-career science education graduates make about $39,321. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Minot State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. 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 science education program here. Science 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. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Dickinson State University placed #6 among the best values for science education. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for science education. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Bemidji State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Science Education graduates carry a median of $23,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $45,668. That is a strong return on a $23,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Wayne State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $42,589. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #10 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $21,748. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,206. That is a strong return on a $21,748 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Emporia State University landed the #11 spot for science education value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Science Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $46,440. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #12 spot for science education value this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $26,287 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $49,697. Set against $26,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Black Hills State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Science Education graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #14 spot for science education value this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,221. Early-career science education graduates make about $38,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,762 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Martin Luther College came in at #16 for value in science education this year. Set in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $20,224. Science 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.
Iowa State University came in at #17 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Science Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $47,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $52,199. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota landed the #19 spot for science education value this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,110. Science Education graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $56,934 early in their careers. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $30,294 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,294 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #21 spot for science education value this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,000. Science Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Dakota Wesleyan University earned the #22 position for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Mitchell, Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,790. Science Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Dakota Wesleyan University generally make around $71,856. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University placed #23 among the best values for science education. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $29,008. Science Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Set against $29,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Hamline University earned the #24 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,530. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $63,634. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $51,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Science Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in science education:
Narrow Science Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
