2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Value graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Colby Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,796 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $104,847. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Century College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Value graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Value graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
