2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat University Of Minnesota Morris this year. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $36,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for psychology. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $19,748 median debt. 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 psychology. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $32,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology 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. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,937. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $56,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the psychology program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
College Of The Ozarks placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $24,860. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Minot State University placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $23,962 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,609 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,900. Early-career psychology graduates make about $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
Iowa Central Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,135. Psychology graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,673. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $50,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #17 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,249. Soon after graduation, 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 placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $23,188 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $57,222 early in their careers. Set against $23,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Peru State College came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Students borrow a median of $25,716 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $32,542. Set against $25,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University earned the #22 position for value in psychology this year. 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, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $32,275. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University landed the #23 spot for psychology value this year. 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,416 early in their careers. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology value ranking:
Narrow 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 · 189 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
