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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

123 Ranked Colleges
32,968 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 123 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

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 $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and 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. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Education at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 549 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $11,291 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Education at UMSL

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 447 ’s degrees 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 $14,641 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Education at Iowa State

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 714 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 University of Missouri - Columbia

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 170 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $13,364 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

6

University of Northern Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 674 degrees to qualified ’s education students 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. It costs about $15,287 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Education Report

7
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend DSU is $13,283 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Education at DSU

8

Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. 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 $9,339 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

9
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Valley City State University is located in Valley City, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 282 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,105 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Valley City State University.

Full Valley City State University Education Report

10
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. MSU is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 132 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU is $11,911 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MSU Education Report

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 547 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,394 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNL.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Education Report

12

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 850 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,127 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Education Report

13
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #13, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 393 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,140 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

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

14

With a ranking of #14, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 208 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,071 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at North Dakota State University

15
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it awarded 134 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMary, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMary is $16,854 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMary Education Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 635 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $14,995 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State 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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Education Report

17
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #17, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 302 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Winona State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $15,289 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Education at Winona State University

18
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 400 students in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $15,818 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full University of North Dakota Education Report

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 $13,157 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Education at Southeast Missouri State University

20
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kirksville, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $12,654 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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 more about Education at Truman State

21
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

With a ranking of #21, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 23 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,188 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Education Report

22
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

With a ranking of #22, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WSC is a small school located in Wayne, Nebraska that handed out 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,029 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wayne State College.

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%.

Full Wayne State College Education Report

23
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 395 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,026 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

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

Read full report on Education at University of Iowa

24

With a ranking of #24, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 489 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,581 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WSU.

Read full report on Education at WSU

25
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

Martin Luther College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Ulm, Minnesota. It awarded 160 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

MLC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Martin Luther College is $18,610 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Martin Luther College Education Report

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