2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region
52
Ranked Colleges
3,291
Degrees Awarded
$19,200
Avg Net Price*
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 Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 41st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 3,291 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,616 and $27,696 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 52 colleges that offer 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.
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 general education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Education Schools
The 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 Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k”.
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. 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 Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 19 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Iowa State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $17,806 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Education at Iowa State
Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $13,989 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on General Education at Minot State University
Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #3 spot on the list. SMU MN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 262 ’s 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 $20,611 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k 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%.
Read more about General Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UMSL has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $17,257 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 full report on General Education at University of Missouri - St Louis
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 Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,902 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Winona State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 more about General Education at Winona State
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 38 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $19,956 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 General Education at University of Missouri - Columbia
Fort Hays State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 242 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $15,894 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on General Education at Fort Hays State University
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 110 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Southwest Minnesota State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,682 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Southwest Minnesota State University.
Read more about General Education at Southwest Minnesota State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Minnesota State 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.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $18,728 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Read full report on General Education at Minnesota State Mankato
Southwest Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Southwest Baptist University also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,411 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Southwest Baptist University.
Full Southwest Baptist University General Education Report
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Gustavus Adolphus is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 21 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Gustavus Adolphus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $25,710 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. 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 more about General Education at Gustavus Adolphus
University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $19,107 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Full UMN Duluth General Education Report
Hamline University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 56 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Hamline has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $22,133 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Hamline University.
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%.
Full Hamline General Education Report
University of North Dakota ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,859 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UND.
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 University of North Dakota
Lindenwood University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $19,120 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 General Education at Lindenwood University
Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,121 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Bellevue University.
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
University of Iowa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k list, Iowa has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $20,719 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Iowa
Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. Northeast Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northeast is $12,069 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Northeast Community College
St Olaf College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $21,334 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend St Olaf College.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 St. Olaf
With a ranking of #20, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $20,156 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Education at K -State
University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $18,700 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full UMKC General Education Report
Buena Vista University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Storm Lake, Iowa, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $18,909 for plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Buena Vista University.
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%. 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 more about General Education at BVU
Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Concordia College Moorhead also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $22,230 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.
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%.
Full Concordia College Moorhead General Education Report
Rockhurst University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Rockhurst not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rockhurst is $21,926 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Rockhurst General Education Report
Martin Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in New Ulm, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $75-$110k 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 Martin Luther College is $22,448 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Martin Luther College General Education Report
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