by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the The Plains States Region? We have ranked 256 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 256 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 256 schools in the The Plains States Region to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. See the full methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Hutchinson Community College this year in the The Plains States Region. Based in Hutchinson, KS, Hutchinson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $18,148. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,470. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values in the The Plains States Region. Located in Grand Island, NE, Central Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Central Community College students take on a median of $10,277 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,429 ten years out. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values in the The Plains States Region. Located in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,773. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Out of the 256 schools in the The Plains States Region in this year's value ranking, Salina Area Technical College landed the #4 spot. Set in Salina, KS, Salina Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. The median program debt is $17,124. Salina Area Technical College alumni report median earnings of $42,175 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 256 schools in the The Plains States Region in this year's value ranking, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #5 spot. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a public school based in Liberal, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $9,175. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,445 ten years after entry. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Cottleville, MO, St Charles Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt is $12,606. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,422 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Williston State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Williston, ND, Williston State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,400 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $44,017 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #8 among the best values in the The Plains States Region. Located in Scottsbluff, NE, Western Nebraska Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $14,507. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,729. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Crowder College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Neosho, MO, Crowder College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Crowder College students take on a median of $9,887 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,987 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #10 spot for value in the The Plains States Region this year. Located in Morris, MN, University Of Minnesota Morris is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,919. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Dodge City Community College placed #11 among the best values in the The Plains States Region. Set in Dodge City, KS, Dodge City Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Saint Louis Community College landed the #12 spot for value in the The Plains States Region this year. Located in Bridgeton, MO, Saint Louis Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,325 ten years after entry. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area placed #13 among the best values in the The Plains States Region. Set in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Southeast Community College Area alumni report median earnings of $43,405 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College placed #14 among the best values in the The Plains States Region. Based in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. The median program debt is $11,937. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pratt Community College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in Pratt, KS, Pratt Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $4,936. The median program debt is $10,327. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,892 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,327 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public school based in Sioux City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Median earnings reach $40,473 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Bismarck State College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Bismarck State College is a public school based in Bismarck, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. The median program debt is $13,340. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College landed the #18 spot for value in the The Plains States Region this year. Based in Fort Scott, KS, Fort Scott Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,213. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #19 spot for value in the The Plains States Region this year. This public school is set in Ottumwa, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt is $15,390. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,507 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Marshalltown Community College is a public school based in Marshalltown, IA. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Marshalltown Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,010 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Mid Plains Community College landed the #21 spot for value in the The Plains States Region this year. Based in North Platte, NE, Mid Plains Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. The median program debt is $14,596. Mid Plains Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,059 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Colby Community College is a public school based in Colby, KS. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Mason City, IA. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $12,043. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,462 ten years after entry. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College landed the #24 spot for value in the The Plains States Region this year. Set in Garden City, KS, Garden City Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,704. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Riverland Community College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Riverland Community College is a public school based in Austin, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,247 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 256 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 256 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.