2027 Best Value Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 180 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Kansas City the best value for a degree in education in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,199. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,664. Education graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Early-career education graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Northeast Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,799. Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $24,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,799 median debt.
Crowder College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $19,814. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $62,413. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,935. Education graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,135. Education graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Education graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,382. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,881. Early-career education graduates make about $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College placed #12 among the best values for education. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,001. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #13 among the best values for education. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Education graduates carry a median of $10,119 in student loans. Education graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $21,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,081. Education graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $79,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Education graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $30,830. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #16 among the best values for education. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,606. Early-career education graduates make about $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Education graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #20 for value in education this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Education graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Education graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #21 position for value in education this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $36,409 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #22 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oglala Lakota College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
Highland Community College Highland earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Education graduates of Highland Community College Highland earn a median of $22,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valley City State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Education graduates carry a median of $24,586 in student loans. Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $50,378 early in their careers. Set against $24,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
Narrow Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 180 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 180 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.
