2027 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Ozarks Technical Community College, our #1 best value for value in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Value graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #2 place for value. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,552. Value graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $28,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Minnesota Crookston, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,661. Early-career value graduates make about $33,062. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Washburn University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $20,822 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $40,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,822 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Kansas Wesleyan University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,330. Value graduates of Kansas Wesleyan University earn a median of $37,301 early in their careers. Set against $24,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rockhurst University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,966. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
