2027 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 139 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value teacher education grade specific schools.
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2027 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education grade specific degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
Our analysis ranked Northeast Community College the best value for a degree in teacher education grade specific in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $11,799 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $24,710 early in their careers. Set against $11,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $13,664. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education grade specific will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $14,507. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #6 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston placed #7 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #8 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $17,001. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $14,956. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College placed #10 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valley City State University came in at #11 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. 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 teacher education grade specific graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $44,179. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ozarks ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $32,676 early in their careers. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College landed the #13 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $40,320. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mayville State University placed #14 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $45,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oglala Lakota College landed the #15 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
Ridgewater College earned the #16 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $15,556. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University earned the #17 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,800 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $42,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Normandale Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $11,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $53,871. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #19 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #20 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $16,126. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #21 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $47,123. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $36,345. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Minot State University came in at #23 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $25,823. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $48,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University earned the #24 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $41,455. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #25 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $43,764. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher education grade specific:
Narrow Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 139 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 139 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.
