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2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

40 Ranked Colleges
2,606 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Curriculum & Instruction is the 55th most popular major in the country with 19,832 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, curriculum and instruction graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $50,993 and had an average of $28,557 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,606 curriculum and instruction graduates with average earnings and debt of $49,920 and $29,500 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 40 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in curriculum and instruction. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent curriculum and instruction 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 curriculum and instruction program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Curriculum & Instruction (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

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 Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 49 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Curriculum & Instruction Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Iowa State

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 97 degrees to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #3 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at University of Missouri - Columbia

4

Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Nebraska landed the #4 spot on the list. Concordia University, Nebraska is a small school located in Seward, Nebraska that handed out 698 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k list, Concordia University, Nebraska has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Nebraska is $17,229 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Nebraska Curriculum & Instruction Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 46 diplomas to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,672 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNL.

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

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at UNL

6

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 149 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,906 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Northwest

7
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

With a ranking of #7, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Wayne, Nebraska, this small public school handed out 61 degrees to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

WSC also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend WSC is $10,608 for plains states region curriculum 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%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at WSC

8

With a ranking of #8, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 186 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

ESU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,465 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ESU.

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%.

Full ESU Curriculum & Instruction Report

9
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 55 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,436 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend K -State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 K -State Curriculum & Instruction Report

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 71 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $15,666 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full University of Kansas Curriculum & Instruction Report

11

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 41 degrees to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,724 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

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 Curriculum & Instruction at University of Missouri - Kansas City

12
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #12, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 9 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $12,394 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at University of North Dakota

13

With a ranking of #13, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $11,687 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at WSU

14
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

With a ranking of #14, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,948 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Curriculum & Instruction Report

15

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Moorhead, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $12,675 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

16
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, Capella University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Capella University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 116 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $16,410 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University Curriculum & Instruction Report

17

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SMU MN is a small school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 31 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SMU MN, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $15,801 for Plains States Region Curriculum 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%.

Full SMU MN Curriculum & Instruction Report

18

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNK is a medium-sized school located in Kearney, Nebraska that handed out 83 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

UNK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,087 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney.

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%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at University of Nebraska at Kearney

19
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern State University is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,085 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at NSU

20
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

BVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Buena Vista University is $13,483 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at BVU

21
Peru State crest
Peru State College
Peru, Nebraska

Peru State College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Peru State is a public institution located in Peru, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Peru State College is $11,995 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Peru State College Curriculum & Instruction Report

22
Chadron State College crest
Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska

Chadron State College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chadron, Nebraska, this small public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s curriculum students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,533 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chadron State College.

Full Chadron State College Curriculum & Instruction Report

23

Missouri Southern State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Southern is $7,881 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Missouri Southern

24
UJ crest
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, North Dakota

University of Jamestown ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Jamestown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jamestown, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UJ, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UJ is $16,045 for plains states region curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Jamestown Curriculum & Instruction Report

25

Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 30 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,421 for Plains States Region Curriculum students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Concordia University, Saint Paul

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