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2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region

23 Ranked Colleges
2,044 Degrees Awarded
$11,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Top 23 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies in the Plains States Region

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 119 students in 2019-2020.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,076 for plains states region associate degree general studies students per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at DMACC

#2

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College landed the #2 spot on the list. Columbia College 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.

Columbia College Missouri not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Missouri is $26,730 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Columbia College Missouri

#3

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa Western Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $11,477 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Iowa Western Community College

#4

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Marshalltown Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, this small public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Marshalltown Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,456 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Marshalltown Community College.

Full Marshalltown Community College General Studies Report

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa Central Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, this small public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Central Community College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $10,102 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read more about General Studies at Iowa Central Community College

#6

Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, Missouri
#9 in overall quality

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. OTC is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ozarks Technical Community College is $7,908 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College

#7

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#3 in overall quality

South Dakota State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $19,252 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 full report on General Studies at South Dakota State

#8

Barton County Community College

Great Bend, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Barton County Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Great Bend, Kansas, this small public school awarded 66 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students list, Barton Community College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,792 for plains states region associate degree general studies students per year to attend Barton Community College.

Full Barton County Community College General Studies Report

#13 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students 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 $7,201 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Read more about General Studies at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#10 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 11 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NICC, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast Iowa Community College is $10,505 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Full NICC General Studies Report

#11

Independence Community College

Independence, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

Independence 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 ranking. Independence Community College is located in Independence, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 64 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Independence Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $5,885 for plains states region associate degree general studies students per year to attend Independence Community College.

Full Independence Community College General Studies Report

#12

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 25 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $18,555 for plains states region associate degree general studies 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 full report on General Studies at USD

#13

Crowder College

Neosho, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Crowder College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region 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.

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 $5,080 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

Full Crowder College General Studies Report

#14

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

Mineral Area College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Park Hills, Missouri, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

MAC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mineral Area College is $9,270 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Full MAC General Studies Report

#15

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
#15 in overall quality

Northeast Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Norfolk, Nebraska, and it awarded 5 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students list, Northeast has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,749 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Northeast.

Read full report on General Studies at Northeast Community College

#16

Labette Community College

Parsons, Kansas
#18 in overall quality

Labette Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Parsons, Kansas, and it awarded 40 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Labette Community College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Labette Community College is $5,753 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Full Labette Community College General Studies Report

#17

East Central College

Union, Missouri
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, East Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. 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. The estimated yearly cost for East Central College is $7,572 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at East Central College

#18

North Central Missouri College

Trenton, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

North Central Missouri College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. North Central Missouri College is a small school located in Trenton, Missouri that handed out 6 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

NCMC also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Central Missouri College is $8,870 for plains states region associate degree general studies students.

Full NCMC General Studies Report

#21 in overall quality

Missouri State University - West Plains landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region ranking. West Plains, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

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 estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - West Plains is $7,739 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

Full Missouri State University - West Plains General Studies Report

#20

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Mayville State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. Mayville State University is a small school located in Mayville, North Dakota that handed out 4 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree general studies students list, Mayville State University has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,378 for plains states region associate degree general studies students per year to attend Mayville State University.

Read more about General Studies at Mayville State University

#21

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, Nebraska
#11 in overall quality

College of Saint Mary ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region list. College of Saint Mary is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Saint Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary is $14,325 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

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 more about General Studies at Saint Mary

#22

Hesston College

Hesston, Kansas
#12 in overall quality

Hesston College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region 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.

Hesston also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Hesston is $21,183 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Studies at Hesston

#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 ranking, coming in at #23. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drury University - CCPS, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Drury University - CCPS is $13,233 for Plains States Region Associate Degree General Studies students.

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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