by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Central Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,277. Early-career value graduates make about $43,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,796. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $40,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,000. Value graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $104,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Value graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Flint Hills Technical College earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,944. Value graduates carry a median of $14,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College generally make around $40,435. That is a strong return on a $14,690 median debt.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.