2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 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
For return on investment in value, no school beat Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the value program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Iowa Community College District one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. 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. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Value graduates carry a median of $21,638 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $26,908 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $29,231. Set against $26,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Value graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in value this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
