2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
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2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri Southern State University the best value for a degree in teacher education in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $39,942. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,153. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $54,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. 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, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Missouri College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.
Missouri Western State University came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,352. Teacher Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $33,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #7 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Northern State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $24,242 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,824. Set against $24,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Sinte Gleska University earned the #9 position for value in teacher education this year. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,714. Median earnings reach $20,948 ten years out.
Emporia State University landed the #10 spot for teacher education value this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,976 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $47,799. Set against $23,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University came in at #11 for value in teacher education this year. 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, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,312 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,789. Set against $26,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University landed the #12 spot for teacher education value this year. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,852. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William Jewell College earned the #13 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,950. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $48,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #14 for value in teacher education this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $44,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in teacher education 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Bethany Lutheran College landed the #16 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,360. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Bethany Lutheran College generally make around $44,462. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Hamline University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $59,462. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University placed #18 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $39,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Iowa placed #19 among the best values for teacher education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Park University landed the #20 spot for teacher education value this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,732 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $36,667 early in their careers. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Simpson College landed the #21 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,656. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,760. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cornell College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,660. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $50,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Seward placed #24 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $47,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #25 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $57,252. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
