2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

For return on investment in value, no school beat North Dakota State University Main Campus this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,153. Early-career value graduates make about $54,076. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Value graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

3

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Value graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

6

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #6 for value in value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Value graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

8

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,322. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $51,566. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

9

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $70,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.

11

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,499. Early-career value graduates make about $67,909. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

12

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University earned the #12 position for value in value this year. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Value graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.