2023 Best Value Colleges for Education in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
125
Ranked Colleges
32,968
Degrees Awarded
$15,100
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.
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 Getting Aid” 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Education Schools
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 Getting Aid” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region education students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
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 more about Education at University of Missouri - St Louis
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 975 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students with aid list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,878 for plains states region education students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Education Report
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 674 students 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. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 UNI
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 447 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeast Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 66 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northeast is $9,029 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Education at Northeast
With a ranking of #6, Minot State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. MSU 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 yearly cost to attend Minot State University is $12,205 for plains states region education students with aid.
Read more about Education at Minot State University
Valley City State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Valley City State University is a small school located in Valley City, North Dakota that handed out 282 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $11,676 for plains states region education students with aid.
Full Valley City State University Education Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 547 ’s 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. It costs about $17,013 for Plains States Region Education students with aid per year to attend UNL.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Education at University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 714 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Education students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 Mizzou
University of Iowa came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 395 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students with aid list, Iowa has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region education students with aid 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.
Full University of Iowa Education Report
Saint Cloud State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 393 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region education students with aid.
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%.
Full St. Cloud State University Education Report
With a ranking of #12, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 635 ’s education degrees 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 $17,159 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
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 full report on Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus 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. It costs about $16,998 for plains states region education students with aid 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
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 850 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,925 for plains states region education students with aid per year to attend Northwest.
Read full report on Education at Northwest
Dickinson State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dickinson State University is a small public school situated in Dickinson, North Dakota. It awarded 41 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,673 for plains states region education students with aid per year to attend Dickinson State University.
Read full report on Education at DSU
Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 491 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,568 for plains states region education students with aid per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.
Full Southeast Missouri State University Education Report
Wichita State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wichita State University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 489 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,859 for plains states region education students with aid per year to attend WSU.
Read full report on Education at WSU
With a ranking of #18, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 487 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
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 UNOMAHA Education Report
University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 400 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students with aid list, UND has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $16,966 for plains states region education students with aid.
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
University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 170 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for Plains States Region Education students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.
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%.
Full UMN Duluth Education Report
With a ranking of #21, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 302 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $17,634 for plains states region education students with aid per year to attend Winona State University.
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
Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 796 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Missouri State is in the top on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for plains states region education students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State Education Report
With a ranking of #23, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wayne State College is located in Wayne, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 334 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,141 for Plains States Region Education students with aid 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
With a ranking of #24, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 591 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $14,058 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
Full University of Central Missouri Education Report
Pittsburg State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, this medium-sized public school handed out 431 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Pitt State is $14,575 for Plains States Region Education students with aid.
Full Pitt State Education Report
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