2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for educational administration students.
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2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Wichita State University tops our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools in the The Plains States Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $64,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #2 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for educational administration. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $69,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #3. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $62,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #4 place for educational administration. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $49,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $54,832. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Fort Hays State University landed the #6 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,967. Educational Administration graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $56,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #7 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $73,847 early in their careers. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,076. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $76,970. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College landed the #9 spot for educational administration value this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $65,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #10 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $48,736. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #11 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $46,212 early in their careers. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,153. Educational Administration graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University earned the #13 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,131. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $60,072. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $22,173. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $64,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #15 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,304. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $51,420 early in their careers. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #16 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #17 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $18,980 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $82,742 early in their careers. Set against $18,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #18 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $68,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Park University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $22,112. Educational Administration graduates of Park University earn a median of $45,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas came in at #20 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $70,677 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #21 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $71,658. Set against $24,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Kansas State University placed #22 among the best values for educational administration. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $59,907 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northern State University earned the #23 position for value in educational administration this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #24 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $47,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Iowa State University came in at #25 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in educational administration:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
