College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Curriculum & Instruction in the Plains States Region

42 Ranked Colleges
2,606 Degrees Awarded
$19,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 19,832 people earned their degree in curriculum and instruction, making the major the 55th most popular in the United States. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 42 colleges that offer a degree in curriculum and instruction. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality curriculum and instruction programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Curriculum 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 Curriculum 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. 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 Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Curriculum & Instruction in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Nebraska landed the #1 spot on the list. Seward, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s curriculum degrees to 698 students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Nebraska also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Nebraska is $22,035 for plains states region curriculum students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Concordia University, Nebraska

2
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the #2 spot on the list. Capella University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 116 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,545 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend Capella University.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Capella University

3
UJ crest
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, North Dakota

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Jamestown landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Jamestown is located in Jamestown, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region curriculum students list, UJ has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Jamestown is $19,603 for plains states region curriculum students.

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%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at UJ

4
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Walden University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 49 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Walden University, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

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%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Walden University

5
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lindenwood University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s curriculum degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $17,366 for plains states region curriculum 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%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Lindenwood University

6
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. Drake is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region curriculum students list, Drake has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drake is $29,903 for Plains States Region Curriculum students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Curriculum & Instruction at Drake

7

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #7. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s 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 estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $21,101 for Plains States Region Curriculum 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 SMU MN Curriculum & Instruction Report

8
Doane Crete crest
Doane University
Crete, Nebraska

Doane University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Doane University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Crete, Nebraska. It awarded 139 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

Doane Crete also took the #17 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Doane University is $23,440 for Plains States Region Curriculum students.

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 more about Curriculum & Instruction at Doane University

9

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum degrees to 149 students in 2020-2021.

Northwest also took the #21 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $12,925 for plains states region curriculum students.

Full Northwest Curriculum & Instruction Report

10
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

With a ranking of #10, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s curriculum degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

WSC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,141 for Plains States Region Curriculum students per year to attend WSC.

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 more about Curriculum & Instruction at Wayne State College

11
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, Buena Vista University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Storm Lake, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s curriculum degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region curriculum students list, BVU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,054 for Plains States Region Curriculum students per year to attend Buena Vista University.

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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Buena Vista University Curriculum & Instruction Report

12
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dordt, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $24,313 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend Dordt University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 Dordt University Curriculum & Instruction Report

13

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 55 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,680 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Curriculum & Instruction Report

14
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region 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.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern State University is $16,695 for Plains States Region Curriculum students.

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 NSU Curriculum & Instruction Report

15

Nebraska Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. NWU is a small school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 8 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $26,295 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend NWU.

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%.

Full Nebraska Wesleyan University Curriculum & Instruction Report

16
Peru State crest
Peru State College
Peru, Nebraska

Peru State College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Peru State is a small school located in Peru, Nebraska that handed out 102 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,220 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend Peru State.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Peru State College

17
Mount Marty crest
Mount Marty University
Yankton, South Dakota

Mount Marty University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mount Marty is located in Yankton, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $19,593 for Plains States Region Curriculum students per year to attend Mount Marty.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Mount Marty Curriculum & Instruction Report

18
William Woods crest
William Woods University
Fulton, Missouri

With a ranking of #18, William Woods University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. William Woods University is located in Fulton, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 62 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $24,454 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend William Woods.

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%. 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.

Full William Woods Curriculum & Instruction Report

19
MBU crest
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Missouri Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. MBU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 20 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MBU is $21,782 for Plains States Region Curriculum students.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Missouri Baptist University

20
Evangel crest
Evangel University
Springfield, Missouri

Evangel University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Evangel University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 42 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $23,719 for plains states region curriculum students per year to attend Evangel.

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 Evangel Curriculum & Instruction Report

21

Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. Concordia University, Saint Paul is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s curriculum degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for plains states region curriculum students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Curriculum & Instruction at Concordia University, Saint Paul

22
Chadron State College crest
Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska

Chadron State College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Chadron State College is a public institution located in Chadron, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,097 for Plains States Region Curriculum students per year to attend Chadron State College.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Chadron State College

23

With a ranking of #23, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. ESU is a medium-sized school located in Emporia, Kansas that handed out 186 ’s curriculum degrees in 2020-2021.

ESU also made our “Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $14,794 for plains states region curriculum students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at Emporia State University

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 46 ’s curriculum degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for plains states region curriculum students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Read more about Curriculum & Instruction at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

25

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Curriculum Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. 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. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Kearney is $17,099 for Plains States Region Curriculum 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 full report on Curriculum & Instruction at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options