2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
14
Ranked Colleges
594
Degrees Awarded
$12,500
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Information Science is the 58th most popular major in the country with 18,325 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, information science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $59,394 and had an average of $28,852 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 594 information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,238 and $25,345 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 14 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in information science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent information science programs, but they also 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 information science program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also took the #2 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Twin Cities Information Science Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 80 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $7,356 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Missouri University of Science and Technology Information Science Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska at Omaha. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s IS degrees to qualified students.
UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Information Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellevue University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified ’s IS students in 2020-2021.
Bellevue University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,383 for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on Information Science at Bellevue University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dakota State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Madison, South Dakota, and it awarded 66 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,329 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dakota State University.
Read full report on Information Science at Dakota State University
With a ranking of #6, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WSC is located in Wayne, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s IS degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WSC is $10,608 for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full Wayne State College Information Science Report
With a ranking of #7, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 35 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,675 for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Moorhead.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Information Science Report
Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Decorah, Iowa, and it awarded 16 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k list, Luther has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $21,838 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Luther.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Luther College Information Science Report
With a ranking of #9, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Emporia, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s IS degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
ESU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $11,465 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Information Science at Emporia State University
With a ranking of #10, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Alexandria Technical & Community College is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 4 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k list, ATCC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ATCC is $10,800 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Alexandria Technical & Community College Information Science Report
With a ranking of #11, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FHSU is a fairly large school located in Hays, Kansas that handed out 46 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
FHSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $9,774 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fort Hays State University.
Full FHSU Information Science Report
Metropolitan State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Metro State is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 51 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
Metro State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,794 for Plains States Region IS students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Metropolitan State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Metro State Information Science Report
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s IS degrees to qualified students.
SMU MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SMU MN is $15,801 for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Information Science at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
With a ranking of #14, Grantham University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IS Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grantham University is a medium-sized school located in Lenexa, Kansas that handed out 15 ’s IS degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grantham University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Information Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,843 for plains states region is students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grantham University.
Read more about Information Science at Grantham University
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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