2027 Best Value Technology Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Technology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/technology-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for technology education students.
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2027 Best Value Technology Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in technology education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Technology Education Schools
Leading the list is Valley City State University, our #1 best value for technology education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the technology education program here. Early-career technology education graduates make about $51,170. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in technology education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Early-career technology education graduates make about $47,254. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in technology education will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $23,082 in student loans. Early-career technology education graduates make about $49,775. Set against $23,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in technology education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Early-career technology education graduates make about $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in technology education will find it at Bemidji State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $23,389. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College earned the #6 position for value in technology education this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Technology Education graduates carry a median of $25,957 in student loans. Early-career technology education graduates make about $42,589. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
Pittsburg State University landed the #7 spot for technology education value this year. 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 technology education graduates is $24,125. Early-career technology education graduates make about $46,923. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot for technology education value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for technology education graduates is $26,000. Early-career technology education graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University placed #9 among the best values for technology education. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the technology education program here. Technology Education graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
William Penn University landed the #10 spot for technology education value this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,341 to complete the technology education program here. Soon after graduation, technology education degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $39,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #11 spot for technology education value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,633 to complete the technology education program here. Technology Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences earn a median of $47,538 early in their careers. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences admits about 57% of applicants.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
