2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
125
Ranked Colleges
32,968
Degrees Awarded
$10,200
Avg Net Price*
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 327,871 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 32,968 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,320 and $27,260 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 125 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent 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 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.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 975 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $7,698 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 170 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Duluth.
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 University of Minnesota - Duluth Education Report
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 674 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,513 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNI.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full University of Northern Iowa Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools 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 ’s education degrees to 447 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $9,766 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Iowa State University Education Report
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Valley City State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Valley City State University is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 282 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $7,877 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Valley City State University Education Report
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 714 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Education at Mizzou
With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 547 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $11,672 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full UNL Education Report
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 208 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about Education at North Dakota State University - Main Campus
University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 549 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $9,991 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Education at University of Missouri - St Louis
University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 395 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $13,554 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read more about Education at Iowa
Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Northeast Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northeast Community College is $6,320 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.
Full Northeast Education Report
With a ranking of #12, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minot State University is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 132 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $8,920 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Education at MSU
With a ranking of #13, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 400 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UND also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $12,394 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Dakota.
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%.
Full University of North Dakota Education Report
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 635 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,692 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
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 more about Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Saint Cloud State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 393 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Saint Cloud State University
Truman State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Truman State is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 93 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $7,208 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 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 more about Education at Truman State University
St Olaf College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Olaf did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $11,112 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full St. Olaf Education Report
Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Education at Southeast Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 850 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,906 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.
Full Northwest Education Report
With a ranking of #20, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 302 students in 2020-2021.
Winona State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,721 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Winona State University
Mayville State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Mayville, North Dakota, and it awarded 88 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Mayville State University is $9,250 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Education at Mayville State University
With a ranking of #22, Dickinson State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dickinson, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,636 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dickinson State University.
Read full report on Education at Dickinson State University
Wayne State College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend WSC is $10,608 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on Education at WSC
Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 796 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Missouri State excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $12,381 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Education at Missouri State
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 487 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for plains states region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Education Report
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