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2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

30 Ranked Colleges
2,373 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value General Education Schools for a Master's 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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

General Education is the 28th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,296 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,373 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general education 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

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 General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 20 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#2

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minot State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Minot State University is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU are $9,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MSU General Education Report

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at Iowa State University

#4

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Winona State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State are $12,378.

Full Winona State General Education Report

#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fort Hays State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 187 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

FHSU also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at FHSU are $11,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Fort Hays State University General Education Report

#11 in overall quality

Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 124 degrees to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

Southwest Minnesota State University also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southwest Minnesota State University are $8,526.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University General Education Report

#7

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

Bemidji State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 11 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bemidji State University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bemidji State University are $9,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Bemidji State University

#8

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326.

Full UND General Education Report

#12 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 18 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato General Education Report

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613.

Full Iowa General Education Report

#11

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Fontbonne University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Fontbonne University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fontbonne University are $14,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Fontbonne University General Education Report

#12

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

Saint Louis University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 7 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074.

Full SLU General Education Report

#1 in overall quality

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 206 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SMU MN, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SMU MN are $10,260.

Read more about General Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

#14

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#5 in overall quality

Augustana University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 128 students in 2019-2020.

Augustana Sioux Falls not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augustana Sioux Falls are $36,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Augustana University General Education Report

#15

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

Hamline University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 24 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hamline, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Hamline University General Education Report

#16

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rockhurst University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 2 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockhurst, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rockhurst University are $16,780.

Full Rockhurst University General Education Report

#17

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#24 in overall quality

St Catherine University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full St. Kate’s General Education Report

#18

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Grand View University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand View University are $9,170, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Grand View University

#19

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#19 in overall quality

Baker University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Baldwin City, Kansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 70 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Baker has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker University are $11,844, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Baker

#20

University of Saint Mary

Leavenworth, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Saint Mary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Leavenworth, Kansas. It awarded 5 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

University of St. Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St. Mary are $11,124, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at University of St. Mary

#21

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Webster University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Webster University are $13,500.

Read more about General Education at Webster

#22

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Southwest Baptist University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Southwest Baptist University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwest Baptist University are $5,423, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southwest Baptist University General Education Report

#23

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 31 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Bethel University Minnesota General Education Report

#24

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

Martin Luther College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Martin Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Ulm, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MLC also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MLC are $5,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at MLC

#25

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Northwestern - St Paul ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $8,982, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern General Education Report

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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

Footnotes

  • *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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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