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

46 Ranked Colleges
1,567 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

History is the 30th most popular major in the country with 32,905 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, history graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,593 and had an average of $23,490 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,824 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,537 and $23,960 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,567 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 46 colleges that offer a degree in history. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent history programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the history program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank History Schools

The history school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region”.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value History 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 history students.

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

#1

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State also took the #7 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $19,252 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at South Dakota State University

#2

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Truman State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,462 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Truman State University History Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwest Minnesota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Southwest Minnesota State University History Report

#4

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 45 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia College Missouri, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College is $26,730 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

Full Columbia College History Report

#5

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winona State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $17,656 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Winona State University

#6

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

With a ranking of #6, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,555 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend USD.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at USD

With a ranking of #7, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Morris also made our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $11,412 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

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%.

Full UMN Morris History Report

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #18 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $16,221 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history 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 more about History at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#9

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 37 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #11 spot in our “Best History 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 history students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about History at UNI

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. UNK is located in Kearney, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Kearney is $16,017 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 History at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 67 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree history students list, Iowa State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $15,496 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about History at Iowa State

#12

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

With a ranking of #12, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University also took the #22 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $17,491 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Lindenwood University

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 4 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $16,893 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead History Report

#14

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Aberdeen, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s history degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northern State University is $15,851 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

Read more about History at Northern State University

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $12,053 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

Full FHSU History Report

#16

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota

With a ranking of #16, Black Hills State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. BHSU is located in Spearfish, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend BHSU is $16,641 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

Full BHSU History Report

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,725 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

Read full report on History at Missouri State University - Springfield

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. UNOMAHA is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $14,040 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

Read full report on History at UNOMAHA

#19

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Located in Topeka, Kansas, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Washburn University is $14,481 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

Read more about History at Washburn University

#20

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s history students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree history students list, K -State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,285 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students per year to attend K -State.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about History at K -State

#21

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. UCM is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,677 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students per year to attend UCM.

Read more about History at University of Central Missouri

#22

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 bachelors’s history degrees to qualified students.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $18,918 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

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

Read full report on History at KU

With a ranking of #22, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,208 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on History at UNL

#24

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 72 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,145 for plains states region bachelor’s degree history students.

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 low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.

Read more about History at University of Iowa

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value History Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 36 bachelors’s history degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took the #16 spot in our “Best History Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,001 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree History students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about History at Mizzou

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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.

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