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2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

54 Ranked Colleges
3,291 Degrees Awarded
$17,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

General Education is the 31st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,291 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 54 colleges that offered a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region general education students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 79 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMSL, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for plains states region general education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at University of Missouri - St Louis

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 General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 19 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region general education students with aid list, Iowa State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $16,002 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Iowa State University General Education Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $16,559 for plains states region general education students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Education at University of Missouri - Columbia

4
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 23 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU is $12,205 for plains states region general education students with aid.

Read more about General Education at Minot State University

5
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winona State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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 full report on General Education at Winona State University

6

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 262 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $21,101 for plains states region general education students with aid per year to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

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 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota General Education Report

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region general education students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato General Education Report

8

Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 110 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

Southwest Minnesota State University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $13,872 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid per year to attend Southwest Minnesota State University.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University General Education Report

9

Fort Hays State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 242 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Hays State University is $13,189 for plains states region general education students with aid.

Full Fort Hays State University General Education Report

10
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

With a ranking of #10, Bellevue University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 3 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for plains states region general education students with aid.

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 General Education at Bellevue University

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Education at University of Iowa

12

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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 more about General Education at University of Minnesota - Duluth

13
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hamline is $20,474 for plains states region general education students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.

Read more about General Education at Hamline

14

Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,029 for plains states region general education students with aid per year to attend Northeast.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Northeast

15
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 133 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region general education students with aid list, Capella University has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Capella University is $16,545 for plains states region general education students with aid.

Full Capella University General Education Report

16
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $16,966 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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 General Education at UND

17
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 73 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $17,366 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid per year to attend Lindenwood University.

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 full report on General Education at Lindenwood University

18
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 15 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $18,433 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Education at K -State

19

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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 General Education at UMKC

20
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 19 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $16,033 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

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%.

Read more about General Education at Bemidji State University

21
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Gustavus Adolphus also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $24,696 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Education at Gustavus Adolphus College

22

With a ranking of #22, Southwest Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southwest Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bolivar, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Southwest Baptist University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Baptist University is $17,291 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Southwest Baptist University

23
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

Martin Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Located in New Ulm, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region general education students with aid list, MLC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MLC is $22,205 for Plains States Region General Education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, 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 88%.

Full MLC General Education Report

24

Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Concordia College Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 7 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia College Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $23,189 for plains states region general education students with aid per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.

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 General Education at Concordia College at Moorhead

25
University of Sioux Falls crest
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

University of Sioux Falls landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Sioux Falls is a small school located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that handed out 1 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,662 for plains states region general education students with aid per year to attend University of Sioux Falls.

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%.

Read more about General Education at University of Sioux Falls

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