2026 Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Teacher Development & Methodology](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-development-methodology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher development & methodology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher development & methodology students.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher development & methodology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools
Jefferson College earned the #1 spot for value among teacher development & methodology schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher development & methodology, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $26,059. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $48,667. That is a strong return on a $26,059 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for teacher development & methodology. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for teacher development & methodology. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Emporia State University earned it the #5 place for teacher development & methodology. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $23,976 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $47,799 early in their careers. Set against $23,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $21,598 in student loans. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $36,271. That is a strong return on a $21,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Sinte Gleska University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Located in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Median earnings reach $20,948 ten years out.
Kansas State University landed the #8 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $45,512. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #10 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University earned the #11 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,937. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $51,260. That is a strong return on a $25,937 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Capella University earned the #12 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $65,786. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mary placed #13 among the best values for teacher development & methodology. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota came in at #15 for value in teacher development & methodology 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, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Soon after graduation, teacher development & methodology degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $48,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College landed the #16 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $46,706. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Hamline University earned the #17 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,530. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $59,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Iowa came in at #18 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $27,000. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Morningside College landed the #19 spot for teacher development & methodology value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $48,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
Augsburg College earned the #20 position for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $31,000. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $47,511 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #21 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Students borrow a median of $22,495 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,495 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $25,250. Teacher Development & Methodology graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $39,621 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher development & methodology schools. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Typical student debt for teacher development & methodology graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $38,068. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Creighton University came in at #24 for value in teacher development & methodology this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the teacher development & methodology program here. Early-career teacher development & methodology graduates make about $64,369. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
