2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Marys University Of Minnesota the best value for a degree in general education in the The Plains States Region. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $59,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Mayville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,464. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $49,971. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,029. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Highland Community College Highland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,000. General Education graduates of Highland Community College Highland earn a median of $22,909 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minot State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,788. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fort Hays State University came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,967. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #8 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $74,532. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,984. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $33,449 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $58,247. That is a strong return on a $33,449 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,016. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $55,867. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $38,945 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,019. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $31,016. Set against $20,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Capella University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $74,309. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Iowa State University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $64,634. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $51,118. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Avila University came in at #19 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Tabor College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,058 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Hamline University landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. General Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $52,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Grand View University earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,941 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,180. Set against $26,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
York College Nebraska placed #25 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of York, York College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,370. General Education graduates of York College Nebraska earn a median of $34,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
Narrow General Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
