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2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

112 Ranked Colleges
14,968 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Education Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 112 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.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Education in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

#1

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota

Out of the 112 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Valley City State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Valley City State University is a small public school situated in Valley City, North Dakota. It awarded 38 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Valley City State University are $7,473, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Valley City State University

#2

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 268 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMSL are $30,154.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Education Report

#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 Getting Aid list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 77 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Truman State University are $16,551, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at Truman State

#4

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota

Out of the 112 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Dickinson State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DSU, the school also landed the #0 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 DSU are $6,576.

Read full report on Education at Dickinson State University

#5

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. MSU is a small public school situated in Minot, North Dakota. It awarded 31 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU are $9,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Minot State University Education Report

#6

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 170 masters’s education degrees to qualified students.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 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 Saint Cloud State University are $12,904.

Full Saint Cloud State University Education Report

#7

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Emporia, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 464 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ESU are $22,058.

Full Emporia State University Education Report

#8

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 392 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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 full report on Education at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#3 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 411 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

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 University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Education at University of Missouri - Columbia

#11

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#9 in overall quality

University of North Dakota ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 284 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree education students with aid list, UND has also earned the #9 rank 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 UND are $18,326.

Read more about Education at UND

#8 in overall quality

Iowa State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

Iowa State also took 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 University are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at Iowa State University

#13

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 131 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Education at University of Northern Iowa

#14

Wayne State College

Wayne, Nebraska

With a ranking of #14, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 151 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Education at WSC

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 170 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Education Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #11 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 University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606.

Full UMN Duluth Education Report

#24 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 69 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #24 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Education at North Dakota State University

#18

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 223 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Pittsburg State University are $19,320, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Pittsburg State University

#16 in overall quality

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 167 students in 2019-2020.

UNL also made our “Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. 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 more about Education at UNL

With a ranking of #20, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 576 degrees 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 FHSU are $11,376.

Read more about Education at FHSU

#21

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, Missouri

Missouri Western State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Missouri Western State University is a small school located in Saint Joseph, Missouri that handed out 6 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 Missouri Western State University are $12,212.

Read full report on Education at Missouri Western State University

#22

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue 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 Getting Aid ranking. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 5 masters’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bellevue University, the school also landed the #0 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 Bellevue University are $11,385.

Read more about Education at Bellevue University

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 140 diplomas to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwest Minnesota State University are $8,526, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

#24

Chadron State College

Chadron, Nebraska

With a ranking of #24, Chadron State College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Chadron, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s education degrees to 91 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Chadron State College are $9,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Chadron State College Education Report

Northwest Missouri 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 395 degrees to qualified masters’s education students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest Missouri State University are $6,673, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwest Missouri 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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