2027 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Forensic Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/forensic-psychology/) 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 forensic psychology students.
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2027 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forensic psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Missouri State University Springfield, our #1 best value for forensic psychology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $24,408. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Capella University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value forensic psychology schools. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $57,897. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Dakota came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value forensic psychology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Forensic Psychology graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $71,018 early in their careers. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $57,252. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Walden University came in at #6 for value in forensic psychology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $55,500 in student loans. Forensic Psychology graduates of Walden University earn a median of $51,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $55,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.