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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

23 Ranked Colleges
2,044 Degrees Awarded
$9,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 133,583 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, general studies is the 5th most popular major in the United States.

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 $30-$48k” 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.

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 general studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

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 $30-$48k”.

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. 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 General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k. Des Moines Area Community College is a large school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 119 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Des Moines Area Community College is $8,543 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Des Moines Area Community College

#2

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marshalltown Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 6 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marshalltown Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $5,012 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Marshalltown Community College

#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 #3 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. NICC 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 also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Northeast Iowa Community College is $9,153 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NICC General Studies Report

#4

Crowder College

Neosho, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Crowder College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Neosho, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 294 students in 2019-2020.

Crowder College also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Crowder College is $4,967 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Crowder College

#5

Independence Community College

Independence, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Independence 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 $30-$48k. Independence Community College is a public institution located in Independence, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 64 associates’s 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. The estimated yearly cost for Independence Community College is $5,782 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Independence Community College

#6 in overall quality

Iowa Central 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 $30-$48k ranking. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k 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. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $8,734 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Iowa Central Community College

#7

Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, Missouri
#9 in overall quality

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 $30-$48k list, OTC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OTC is $7,057 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College

#13 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Western Iowa Tech Community College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,287 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#9

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 51 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa Western Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,002 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa Western Community College.

Read more about General Studies at Iowa Western Community College

#10

Labette Community College

Parsons, Kansas
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, 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 $30-$48k list. Labette Community College is a public institution located in Parsons, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Labette Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $5,506 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Labette Community College.

Full Labette Community College General Studies Report

#11

Barton County Community College

Great Bend, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Barton County 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 $30-$48k ranking. Barton County Community College is a small public school situated in Great Bend, Kansas. It awarded 66 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Barton Community College also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,019 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Barton Community College.

Read more about General Studies at Barton County Community College

#12

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
#15 in overall quality

Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeast, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast is $6,473 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Northeast Community College

#13

East Central College

Union, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

East Central College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Union, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 271 students in 2019-2020.

East Central College also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,999 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Central College.

Full East Central College General Studies Report

#14

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

Mineral Area College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Park Hills, Missouri, this small public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

MAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $9,286 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MAC.

Read more about General Studies at MAC

#15

North Central Missouri College

Trenton, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

North Central Missouri College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Trenton, Missouri, and it awarded 6 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, NCMC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NCMC is $8,827 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full North Central Missouri College General Studies Report

#21 in overall quality

Missouri State University - West Plains landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri State University - West Plains is located in West Plains, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 143 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State West Plains did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State West Plains is $7,785 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Missouri State West Plains

#17

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, Nebraska
#11 in overall quality

College of Saint Mary ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Saint Mary also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for College of Saint Mary is $8,336 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Read full report on General Studies at Saint Mary

#18

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#3 in overall quality

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 58 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,273 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota State.

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 full report on General Studies at South Dakota State

#19

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota
#22 in overall quality

Mayville State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mayville, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mayville State University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mayville State University is $10,298 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Mayville State University General Studies Report

#20

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 25 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,866 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Dakota.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Studies at University of South Dakota

#21

Hesston College

Hesston, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

Hesston College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Hesston, Kansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies 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. The yearly cost to attend Hesston College is $18,337 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Hesston General Studies Report

#22

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Columbia College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 572 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia College Missouri has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $24,862 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia College Missouri.

Read full report on General Studies at Columbia College Missouri

#23 in overall quality

Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Drury University - CCPS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies is $14,884 for plains states region associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Drury University - CCPS

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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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