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2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

23 Ranked Colleges
2,044 Degrees Awarded
$9,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 133,583 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,869 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 2,044 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general studies 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 general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The general studies 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 General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. DMACC is a large school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 119 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $7,776 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at DMACC

#2

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Marshalltown Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshalltown Community College is a public institution located in Marshalltown, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Marshalltown Community College also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $5,073 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Marshalltown Community College

#3

Crowder College

Neosho, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Crowder College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Crowder College is a small school located in Neosho, Missouri that handed out 294 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Crowder College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Crowder College is $4,145 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Crowder College

#4

Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, Missouri
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. OTC is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, OTC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,090 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OTC.

Full OTC General Studies Report

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeast Iowa Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northeast Iowa Community College is located in Calmar, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

NICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $7,987 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at NICC

#6

Barton County Community College

Great Bend, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Barton County Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Great Bend, Kansas, this small public school awarded 66 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Barton Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Barton County Community College is $7,356 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Barton County Community College

#7

Labette Community College

Parsons, Kansas
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Labette Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Labette Community College is a small school located in Parsons, Kansas that handed out 40 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Labette Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Labette Community College is $4,571 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Labette Community College General Studies Report

#8

Independence Community College

Independence, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

Independence Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Independence, Kansas, and it awarded 64 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Independence Community College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $4,864 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Independence Community College.

Full Independence Community College General Studies Report

#6 in overall quality

Iowa Central Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa Central Community College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,979 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa Central Community College.

Full Iowa Central Community College General Studies Report

#13 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 7 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Iowa Tech Community College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $5,665 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College General Studies Report

#11

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Iowa Western Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa Western Community College is a medium-sized school located in Council Bluffs, Iowa that handed out 51 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $9,341 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Iowa Western Community College

#12

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
#15 in overall quality

Northeast Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Norfolk, Nebraska, and it awarded 5 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeast also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast is $6,726 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northeast Community College General Studies Report

#13

East Central College

Union, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

East Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This small school is located in Union, Missouri, and it awarded 271 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

East Central College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for East Central College is $6,542 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at East Central College

#14

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, Nebraska
#11 in overall quality

College of Saint Mary landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saint Mary, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Saint Mary is $10,944 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full College of Saint Mary General Studies Report

#15

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

Mineral Area College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Park Hills, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

MAC also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MAC is $8,627 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Mineral Area College

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Missouri State University - West Plains did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri State University - West Plains is a small public school situated in West Plains, Missouri. It awarded 143 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State West Plains also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - West Plains is $6,910 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Missouri State University - West Plains General Studies Report

#17

North Central Missouri College

Trenton, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, North Central Missouri College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Central Missouri College is a small public school situated in Trenton, Missouri. It awarded 6 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

NCMC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,263 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NCMC.

Full North Central Missouri College General Studies Report

#18

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#3 in overall quality

South Dakota State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,285 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

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 University General Studies Report

#19

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota
#22 in overall quality

Mayville State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mayville State University is a small public school situated in Mayville, North Dakota. It awarded 4 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Mayville State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mayville State University is $7,679 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Mayville State University

#20

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

University of South Dakota ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 25 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $14,517 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

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%.

Full USD General Studies Report

#21

Hesston College

Hesston, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

Hesston College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hesston, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hesston, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,991 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hesston College.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about General Studies at Hesston

#22

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

Columbia College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 572 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia College Missouri, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $29,149 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Columbia College.

Read more about General Studies at Columbia College

#23 in overall quality

Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Drury University - CCPS is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Drury University - CCPS also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Drury University - CCPS is $12,351 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies General Studies 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.

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