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2023 Best Value Colleges for History 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 it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

History is the 23rd most popular major in the country with 32,731 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in history. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great history programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s history students 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. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for Plains States Region History students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at South Dakota State University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Kearney. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region. Kearney, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNK, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $17,099 for plains states region history students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Kearney History Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, UNI has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for Plains States Region History students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Full UNI History Report

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. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 56 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #2 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend Iowa State.

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 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 full report on History at Iowa State

5

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 Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. 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 University of Minnesota - Duluth

6

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region History students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Minnesota State Mankato

7
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 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. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $17,366 for Plains States Region History students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Full Lindenwood University History Report

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #8, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Truman State University is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. 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 yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,301 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Truman State University History Report

9
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Columbia College Missouri is a medium-sized school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 35 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia College Missouri did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Missouri is $26,668 for plains states region history students.

Read more about History at Columbia College

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. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 57 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 more about History at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

11

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 108 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region history students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

12

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,914 for plains states region history students per year to attend UNOMAHA.

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 History Report

13
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $20,257 for plains states region history students.

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.

Read more about History at KU

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. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s history degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on History at Kansas State University

15
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 78 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #3 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region History students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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 more about History at Iowa

16

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 18 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $14,859 for plains states region history students.

Read more about History at WSU

17

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 45 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #7 spot 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.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on History at University of Missouri - Columbia

18

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s history students in 2020-2021.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,702 for plains states region history students per year to attend UMKC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC History Report

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s history degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region history students list, UMSL has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $12,232 for plains states region history 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%.

Full UMSL History Report

20
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Luther College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region list. Luther is a small school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 11 ’s history degrees 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 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 more about History at Luther

21
Coe crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value History Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. Coe is a small school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 10 ’s history degrees in 2020-2021.

Coe also took the #15 spot in our “Best History Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,371 for Plains States Region History students per year to attend Coe.

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%.

Full Coe College History Report

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