2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
125
Ranked Colleges
32,968
Degrees Awarded
$11,400
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 327,871 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 125 colleges that offered a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than 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 education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Education Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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. 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 $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 975 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 UMN 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 $30-$48k list. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 170 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $8,697 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at UMN Duluth
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. 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.
Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,427 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State University.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Education at Iowa State
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 674 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $13,175 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Northern Iowa Education Report
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 549 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $8,324 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at UMSL
Valley City State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Valley City, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 282 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,570 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Valley City State University.
Full Valley City State University Education Report
With a ranking of #7, Northeast Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 66 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,170 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeast.
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%.
Read full report on Education at Northeast Community College
Minot 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 $30-$48k ranking. MSU is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 132 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend MSU is $9,060 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Education at MSU
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 714 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mizzou has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,386 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Education at Mizzou
With a ranking of #10, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 547 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $13,453 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Education Report
North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 208 diplomas to qualified ’s education students 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. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.
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
Dickinson State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dickinson State University is a public institution located in Dickinson, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend DSU is $10,484 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Education at DSU
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 850 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $10,608 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Northwest Education Report
Truman State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $8,898 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about Education at Truman State University
St Olaf College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $11,138 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 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 Education at St Olaf College
Saint Cloud State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 393 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Education Report
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 635 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato
University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 400 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UND is $13,151 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at University of North Dakota
College of Saint Mary ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Mary is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $10,321 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of Saint Mary.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Education at Saint Mary
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized school located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that handed out 491 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $11,406 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Southeast Missouri State University Education Report
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,445 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Gustavus Adolphus College Education Report
University of Iowa landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 395 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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 Education at University of Iowa
With a ranking of #23, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona State University is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 302 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,963 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.
Full Winona State University Education Report
University of Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 134 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UMary also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,600 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMary.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMary Education Report
Wayne State College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wayne State College is a small school located in Wayne, Nebraska that handed out 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $11,672 for plains states region education students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Education at Wayne State College
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