2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 137 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $67,111. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Community College earned it the #4 place for psychology. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #5 place for psychology. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,224. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,748 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $19,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #7 position for value in psychology this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,962. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #10 position for value in 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,094. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $24,935 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $50,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,935 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $24,860. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,609. Psychology graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #14 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University landed the #15 spot for psychology value this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $40,009. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Psychology graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Wichita State University placed #17 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $32,275 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Dickinson State University landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,977. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $56,529. Set against $22,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,810. Early-career psychology graduates make about $43,292. That is a strong return on a $20,810 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,455 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Set against $24,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University placed #24 among the best values for psychology. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,963. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
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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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 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.
