2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat University Of Minnesota Morris this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $36,893. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #3 place for general psychology. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,224. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Northeast Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #5 place for general psychology. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. General Psychology graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $24,860 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #7 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,783. General Psychology graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $36,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $22,977. General Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $31,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,977 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,135. General Psychology 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.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Set against $24,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,673. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #13 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,626. General Psychology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $33,623 early in their careers. Set against $20,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,153. General Psychology graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,609. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,647. That is a strong return on a $23,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #16 among the best values for general psychology. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Washburn University earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,249. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $38,264. Set against $25,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $14,792. General Psychology graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. Set against $14,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peru State College came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Students borrow a median of $25,716 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $32,542. That is a strong return on a $25,716 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,188 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $30,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,674 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,294 early in their careers. Set against $20,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Emporia State University earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,389. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Fort Hays State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,000. General Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,203 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
Narrow General Psychology Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 168 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) 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.
