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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education in the Plains States Region

28 Ranked Colleges
2,373 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value General Education Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 29,936 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 28th most popular in the United States.

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” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The general education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree general education students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education in the Plains States Region

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 206 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SMU MN are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

#2

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Martin Luther College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. MLC is located in New Ulm, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students list, MLC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Martin Luther College are $5,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at MLC

#3

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hamline University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. Hamline University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 24 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline University are $11,577, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Hamline University

#4

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Walden University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 1,153 students in 2019-2020.

Walden University also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Walden University

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 124 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwest Minnesota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwest Minnesota State University are $8,526, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

#6

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Southwest Baptist University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Southwest Baptist University is a small school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 73 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southwest Baptist University, the school also landed the #15 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 Southwest Baptist University are $5,423.

Read more about General Education at Southwest Baptist University

#7

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Winona 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 ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State are $12,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Winona State University

#8

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Bethel University Minnesota

#12 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#10

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

Capella University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 86 students in 2019-2020.

Capella University also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Capella University General Education Report

#11

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Webster University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Webster is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 14 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Webster also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Webster

#12

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
#20 in overall quality

Minot State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. Minot, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s general education degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

MSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minot State University are $9,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at MSU

#13

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

Bemidji State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 11 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students list, Bemidji State University has also earned the #22 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 Bemidji State University are $9,112.

Read full report on General Education at Bemidji State University

#18 in overall quality

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 187 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

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

Read more about General Education at FHSU

#15

University of Saint Mary

Leavenworth, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Saint Mary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Saint Mary is located in Leavenworth, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of St. Mary, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. 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 full report on General Education at University of St. Mary

#16

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Baker University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Baker is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baldwin City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 70 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baker, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker are $11,844, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Baker University General Education Report

#17

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

Grand View University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. Grand View University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 16 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand View University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand View University are $9,170, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Grand View University

#18

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Saint Louis University General Education Report

#19

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

Clarke University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees 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 list, Clarke has also earned the #17 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 Clarke University are $12,119.

Read full report on General Education at Clarke University

#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 20 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 list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Duluth are $28,606, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at UMN Duluth

#21

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Northwestern - St Paul ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Northwestern - St Paul is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 5 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #25 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 Northwestern are $8,982.

Read full report on General Education at Northwestern

#7 in overall quality

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #22. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 5 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed 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 University are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Iowa State

#23

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#24 in overall quality

St Catherine University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. St Catherine University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

St. Kate’s also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Kate’s are $17,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at St. Kate’s

#24

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 ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 degrees to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about General Education at Fontbonne University

#25

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

University of Iowa landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 26 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Iowa 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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