2027 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for value in the The Plains States Region. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,741. Early-career value graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,577. Early-career value graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,304. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #5 makes Bellevue University one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
William Jewell College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Liberty. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Value graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from William Jewell College generally make around $48,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Metropolitan State University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,822 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best values for value. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,386. Early-career value graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #9 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,989. Early-career value graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #10 for value in value this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. 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.
University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,463. Value graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
