2027 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Iowa Community College District earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,638 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,638 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,908. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $29,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Dakota placed #6 among the best values for value. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,110. Value graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Columbia College Missouri placed #7 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,213. Early-career value graduates make about $47,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,586. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
