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2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region

28 Ranked Colleges
2,373 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value 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 was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Education is the 35th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,138 and had an average of $29,674 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,296 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,903 and $30,143 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 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 206 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU MN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SMU MN General Education Report

#2

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Martin Luther College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. MLC is located in New Ulm, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MLC, the school also landed the #10 spot 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Martin Luther College

#3

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hamline University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Hamline is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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.

Full Hamline University General Education Report

#4

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walden University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region. Walden University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 1,153 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Walden University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at Walden University

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value 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 located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

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

#6

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri

Southwest Baptist University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Bolivar, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s education degrees to 73 students in 2019-2020.

Southwest Baptist University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.

Read more about General Education at Southwest Baptist University

#7

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Winona State also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State University are $12,378, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Winona State General Education Report

#8

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Bethel University Minnesota is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 31 masters’s 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Bethel University Minnesota

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#10

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

Capella University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school awarded 86 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Capella University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Capella University

#11

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #11, Webster University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Webster University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 14 masters’s 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Webster

#12

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Minot, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minot State University are $9,936.

Full Minot State University General Education Report

#13

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

Bemidji State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bemidji State University are $9,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Bemidji State University

With a ranking of #14, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Hays, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 187 students 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Fort Hays State University

#15

University of Saint Mary

Leavenworth, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

University of Saint Mary came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Leavenworth, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s education degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

University of St. Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 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 University of Saint Mary are $11,124.

Read more about General Education at University of St. Mary

#16

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas

Baker University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value 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.

Baker did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker are $11,844, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Baker

#17

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

Grand View University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. Grand View University is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree education students list, Grand View University has also earned the #23 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 Grand View University are $9,170.

Full Grand View University General Education Report

#18

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

Saint Louis University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 7 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at SLU

#19

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa

Clarke University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Clarke is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 19 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Clarke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 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 Clarke University are $12,119.

Full Clarke General Education Report

#2 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. UMN Duluth is a fairly large school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 20 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. 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 UMN Duluth

#21

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Northwestern - St Paul came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwestern is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 5 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree education students list, Northwestern has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northwestern - St Paul are $8,982, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern General Education Report

With a ranking of #22, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 5 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree education students list, Iowa State has also earned the #7 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Iowa State University General Education Report

#23

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#24 in overall quality

St Catherine University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Kate’s is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 6 masters’s education degrees 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full St. Kate’s General Education Report

#24

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Fontbonne University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s education degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fontbonne University are $14,400.

Full Fontbonne University General Education Report

#25

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region list. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 26 masters’s education 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of 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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