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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in the Plains States Region

79 Ranked Colleges
6,642 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 107,165 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, general biology is the 5th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,334 and had an average of $23,818 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,642 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,028 and $24,478 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 79 colleges that offered a degree in general biology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general biology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general biology program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Biology Schools

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The biology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in the Plains States Region

1
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 109 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for plains states region biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State University General Biology Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 117 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for plains states region biology students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus General Biology Report

3
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 105 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for Plains States Region Biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UND General Biology Report

4
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, this medium-sized public school awarded 102 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,389 for plains states region biology students per year to attend USD.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of South Dakota

5
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 79 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 94 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,301 for Plains States Region Biology students per year to attend Truman State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State University General Biology Report

6

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 178 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Minnesota - Duluth

7

University of Northern Iowa came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Plains States Region Biology students per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on General Biology at University of Northern Iowa

8
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #8. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,044 for plains states region biology students per year to attend Metro State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Metro State

9
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 45 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $16,033 for Plains States Region Biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Bemidji State University

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 85 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Saint Cloud State University

11

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 99 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,159 for plains states region biology students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Minnesota State Mankato

12

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. UMN Morris is a small school located in Morris, Minnesota that handed out 43 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $10,529 for Plains States Region Biology students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Morris General Biology Report

13

Iowa State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 198 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region Biology students per year to attend Iowa State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Iowa State University General Biology Report

14

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 146 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,718 for plains states region biology students per year to attend Missouri State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield General Biology Report

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Nebraska at Kearney did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 115 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNK is $17,099 for plains states region biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Nebraska at Kearney

16

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $17,680 for Plains States Region Biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at MSU Moorhead

17
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 73 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Winona State

18
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,568 for Plains States Region Biology students per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read full report on General Biology at Southeast Missouri State University

19
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bellevue University is $17,288 for plains states region biology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Bellevue University General Biology Report

20

Fort Hays State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Hays, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $13,189 for plains states region biology students.

Read more about General Biology at Fort Hays State University

21

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 152 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region Biology students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full UNL General Biology Report

22

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 126 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region biology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA General Biology Report

23
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $26,668 for Plains States Region Biology students per year to attend Columbia College.

Full Columbia College Missouri General Biology Report

24

Wichita State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 74 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,859 for Plains States Region Biology students per year to attend WSU.

Read full report on General Biology at Wichita State University

25

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for plains states region biology students.

Read full report on General Biology at Northwest Missouri State University

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References

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