College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region

21 Ranked Colleges
1,798 Degrees Awarded
$17,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 32,731 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 30th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,467 and had an average of $23,587 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,798 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,406 and $25,596 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in history. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent history programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the history program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More History Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region history students.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for History in the Plains States Region

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

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #1 spot on the list. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,578 for plains states region history students per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at South Dakota State

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Kearney, Nebraska, and it awarded 55 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, UNK has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNK is $17,099 for Plains States Region History 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%.

Full University of Nebraska at Kearney History Report

3

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 34 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for plains states region history students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about History at UNI

4

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $16,002 for plains states region history students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Iowa State

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 36 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for plains states region history 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 full report on History at UMN Duluth

6

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 31 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Minnesota State University - Mankato

7
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

With a ranking of #7, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 14 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,366 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University History Report

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 36 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, Truman State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,301 for plains states region history students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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 History at Truman State

9
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Columbia College Missouri is a medium-sized school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 35 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, Columbia College Missouri has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College is $26,668 for plains states region history students.

Read more about History at Columbia College Missouri

10

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $17,013 for plains states region history students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full UNL History Report

11

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 108 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #1 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,878 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on History at UMN Twin Cities

12

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region History students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha History Report

13
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend KU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kansas History Report

14
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 27 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for plains states region history students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 History at Kansas State University

15
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #3 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend University of Iowa.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Iowa

16

Wichita State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $14,859 for plains states region history students.

Read more about History at Wichita State University

17

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, Mizzou has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region History students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia History Report

18

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 34 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, UMKC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region History students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 University of Missouri - Kansas City History Report

19

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 57 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for Plains States Region History students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at University of Missouri - St Louis

20
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Decorah, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Luther College is $25,538 for Plains States Region History students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 History at Luther College

21
Coe crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

Coe also took the #15 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Coe College is $20,371 for Plains States Region History students.

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%.

Read full report on History at Coe College

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options