2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied mathematics schools.
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Featured Applied Mathematics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Mathematics
If you have a knack for mathematics and an interest in learning more, study online to achieve your career goals at Southern New Hampshire University. Our mathematics degree can help you enhance your mathematical abilities, including reasoning and problem-solving in three areas: analysis, algebra and statistics.
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BA in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Put mathematical concepts to work to solve today's most complex real-world problems by studying applied mathematics with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Kansas City the best value for a degree in applied mathematics in the The Plains States Region. 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 applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for applied mathematics. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for applied mathematics. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $24,107 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $36,756. Set against $24,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Northern State University one of the best values for applied mathematics. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $26,143. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $45,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #5 place for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $24,463. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #6 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.