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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

51 Ranked Colleges
3,291 Degrees Awarded
$21,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Education is the 41st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

This year’s “Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 51 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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.

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Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k list, Iowa State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Iowa State.

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%. 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 University

2
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minot State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. This small school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 23 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,205 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend MSU.

Full Minot State University General Education Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 262 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $21,101 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

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

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fort Hays State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Fort Hays State University is a fairly large school located in Hays, Kansas that handed out 242 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Hays State University is $13,189 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Fort Hays State University General Education Report

5

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #5 spot on the list. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,232 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

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 more about General Education at University of Missouri - St Louis

6

Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #6. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution located in Marshall, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southwest Minnesota State University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $13,872 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University General Education Report

7
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 32 ’s education 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 $17,634 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Winona State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State General Education Report

8

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,559 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. 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 more about General Education at Mizzou

9

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato General Education Report

10
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k list, Hamline has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hamline University is $20,474 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on General Education at Hamline

11
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,966 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UND.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 more about General Education at University of North Dakota

12
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 3 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,288 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about General Education at Bellevue University

13
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 73 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $17,366 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Lindenwood University

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #14, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full Iowa General Education Report

15
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 15 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Kansas State University General Education Report

16

Southwest Baptist University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Southwest Baptist University is a small school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 75 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Southwest Baptist University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,291 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Southwest Baptist University.

Read more about General Education at Southwest Baptist University

17

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 13 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 estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $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%.

Read full report on General Education at UMN Duluth

18

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,702 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at UMKC

19

Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast Community College is $9,029 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Full Northeast Community College General Education Report

20
Morningside crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Morningside is a small school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 140 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Morningside also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $22,350 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Morningside College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Morningside General Education Report

21
Augustana Sioux Falls crest
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Augustana University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 87 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana Sioux Falls, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana University is $24,066 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%.

Full Augustana Sioux Falls General Education Report

22

Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #22 on this year’s Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Concordia College Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Concordia College Moorhead is $23,189 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

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 General Education at Concordia College Moorhead

23
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 19 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $16,033 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

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 full report on General Education at Bemidji State University

24
University of Sioux Falls crest
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

With a ranking of #24, University of Sioux Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Sioux Falls is $21,662 for plains states region education students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at University of Sioux Falls

25
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s education students 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 estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $24,696 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Read more about General Education at Gustavus Adolphus College

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