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2027 Best Value Health Professions Schools in the The Plains States Region

281 Colleges in the United States
$23,550 Avg Student Debt
$48,255 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Health Professions Badge [Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) 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 281 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health professions schools.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Health Professions Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Health Professions Schools

1

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #1 spot for value among health professions schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $14,398 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $50,405. Set against $14,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Dodge City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.

4

Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $52,032. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt.

6

Garden City Community College placed #6 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,075 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $61,593 early in their careers. Set against $16,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,710 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $61,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Pratt Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,936. Students borrow a median of $15,981 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $61,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $59,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Saint Louis Community College landed the #10 spot for health professions value this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,209. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Coffeyville Community College earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,677. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,328. That is a strong return on a $17,677 median debt.

12

St Charles Community College came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,712 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $68,488. That is a strong return on a $18,712 median debt.

13

Western Nebraska Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $16,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Independence Community College earned the #14 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $7,302. Health Professions graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.

15

Cowley County Community College earned the #15 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.

16

Neosho County Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,810. Health Professions graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $61,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,810 median debt.

17

Northeast Community College came in at #17 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $14,702 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $52,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,702 median debt.

18

Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,304 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $46,698 early in their careers. Set against $15,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #19 position for value in health professions this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $19,392. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $54,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Labette Community College landed the #20 spot for health professions value this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,052. Health Professions graduates of Labette Community College earn a median of $58,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,052 median debt.

21

Ozarks Technical Community College placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $18,143 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $46,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Colby Community College earned the #22 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,635. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $62,370. Set against $20,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Fort Scott Community College came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,832. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,847. That is a strong return on a $23,832 median debt.

24

Southeast Community College Area ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,623. Early-career health professions graduates make about $49,551. Set against $20,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Highland Community College Highland landed the #25 spot for health professions value this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for health professions this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO
33
34
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO
35
36
37
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
38
39
40

41
42
43
44
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
45
46
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN
47
48
49
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for value in health professions:

Rank College Location
#51 College Of The Ozarks Point Lookout, MO Full Report
#52 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN Full Report
#53 North Central Kansas Technical College Beloit, KS Full Report
#54 Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA Full Report
#55 St Cloud Technical And Community College Saint Cloud, MN Full Report
#56 Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA Full Report
#57 Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND Full Report

View All Health Professions Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 281 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 281 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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