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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

112 Ranked Colleges
14,968 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 310,601 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 32,592 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,310 and $28,608 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 14,968 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 For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 112 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. 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 Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 392 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at UMN Twin Cities

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 112 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 32 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. 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 Education at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#3

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Truman State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 77 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Truman State are $16,551, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Truman State Education Report

#4

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valley City State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Valley City State University is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Valley City State University are $7,473, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at Valley City State University

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Iowa State Education Report

#3 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 411 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mizzou Education Report

#7

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 131 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #23 spot in our “Best 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 UNI are $22,648.

Read full report on Education at UNI

#8

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Dickinson State University is a small school located in Dickinson, North Dakota that handed out 5 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

DSU also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dickinson State University are $6,576, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Dickinson State University Education Report

#9

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, Nebraska

College of Saint Mary landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. College of Saint Mary is a small school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 32 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary are $17,124, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Mary Education Report

#10

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota

With a ranking of #10, Minot State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minot, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Education at MSU

#11

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 170 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best 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 St. Cloud State University are $12,904.

Full Saint Cloud State University Education Report

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 167 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at UNL

#13

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#9 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 284 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at University of North Dakota

#24 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 69 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University are $11,589, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#15

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

With a ranking of #15, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ESU is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 464 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Emporia State University are $22,058, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at Emporia State University

#16

Wayne State College

Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State College is located in Wayne, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 151 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WSC are $9,597, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at Wayne State College

With a ranking of #17, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 222 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#18

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 30 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State are $12,378, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at Winona State University

#19

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

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 more about Education at Bemidji State University

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 170 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788.

Read more about Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#21

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 268 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Education Report

Fort Hays State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 576 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fort Hays State University are $11,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at FHSU

Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 140 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

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.

Read full report on Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

#24

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota

Mayville State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Mayville State University is a small school located in Mayville, North Dakota that handed out 3 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Mayville State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best 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 Mayville State University are $6,263.

Full Mayville State University Education Report

#25

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#5 in overall quality

Kansas State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 352 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Kansas State University 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 Horadrim.

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