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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Education in the Plains States Region

136 Ranked Colleges
11,549 Degrees Awarded
$15,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 310,601 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 11,549 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 136 colleges that offer a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Education in the Plains States Region

#1

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
Top 25% in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minot State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. MSU is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 90 bachelors’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Minot State University is $11,898 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

Full Minot State University Education Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 136 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 84 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree education students list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,584 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at North Dakota State University

#3

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
#22 in overall quality

Out of the 136 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Valley City State University landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Valley City, North Dakota, and it awarded 169 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Valley City State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Valley City State University is $11,981 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

Read full report on Education at Valley City State University

#4

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Martin Luther College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Ulm, Minnesota. It awarded 143 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree education students list, MLC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Martin Luther College is $19,703 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Martin Luther College

#5

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bellevue University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region. Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $15,616 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

Read full report on Education at Bellevue University

#6

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 122 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $19,252 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Education Report

#7

Chadron State College

Chadron, Nebraska

Chadron State College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Chadron State College is a small school located in Chadron, Nebraska that handed out 85 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Chadron State College is $14,268 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

Read more about Education at Chadron State College

#8

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Dickinson, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s education degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson State University is $10,855 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

Read more about Education at Dickinson State University

#3 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 141 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #3 spot in our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,067 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Minnesota - Duluth

#10

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#20 in overall quality

University of North Dakota landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 159 degrees to qualified bachelors’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree education students list, UND has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $15,738 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 full report on Education at UND

#11

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota

With a ranking of #11, Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Dakota State University is a public institution located in Madison, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Dakota State University is $17,691 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

Read full report on Education at Dakota State University

#12

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s education degrees to 129 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $15,868 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

Read more about Education at Bemidji State University

#13

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#17 in overall quality

Winona State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s education degrees to 273 students in 2019-2020.

Winona State also made our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,656 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Full Winona State Education Report

#14

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 146 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend USD is $18,555 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 South Dakota Education Report

#15

Wayne State College

Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 157 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,765 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students per year to attend Wayne State College.

Read more about Education at Wayne State College

#16

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. NSU is a small school located in Aberdeen, South Dakota that handed out 59 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,851 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students per year to attend NSU.

Full NSU Education Report

#17

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota

Mayville State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Mayville, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s education degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Mayville State University is $12,378 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

Read full report on Education at Mayville State University

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s education degrees to 119 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $14,397 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Education Report

#19

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 573 degrees to qualified bachelors’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $15,620 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The 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 University of Northern Iowa

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Morris, Minnesota, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $11,412 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at University of Minnesota - Morris

Top 20% in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 206 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also claimed a top spot on our “Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $16,221 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Minnesota State Mankato

#22

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 193 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,267 for plains states region bachelor’s degree education students.

Full Saint Cloud State University Education Report

Fort Hays State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 338 bachelors’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend FHSU is $12,053 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

Read more about Education at Fort Hays State University

#24

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota

Black Hills State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Spearfish, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 80 degrees to qualified bachelors’s education students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,641 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students per year to attend Black Hills State University.

Read full report on Education at BHSU

Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s education degrees to 173 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $16,893 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Education students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

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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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