2027 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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
For return on investment in value, no school beat Wichita State University this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $52,982. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,846. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,783. Value graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $58,548 early in their careers. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,076. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,577. Value graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $92,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Metropolitan State University came in at #7 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,822. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Capella University landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $91,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #9 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,399. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Value graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $58,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,701. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #12 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $68,911. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota came in at #13 for value in value this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $67,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Hamline University placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Value graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $76,773 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $31,000. Early-career value graduates make about $63,921. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #16 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,112. Value graduates of Park University earn a median of $62,141 early in their careers. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Iowa earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the value program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Drake University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,273. Early-career value graduates make about $67,297. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Walden University landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Value graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $67,390. That is a strong return on a $49,361 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
