2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is St Charles Community College, our #1 best value for general studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Seward County Community College And Area Technical School one of the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Marshalltown Community College, which ranked #4. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $9,960 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Independence Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Independence Community College generally make around $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $14,237 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,742. Set against $14,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,358. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $31,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,643. Set against $7,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,567. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $26,787. Set against $12,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College landed the #12 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $30,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,064, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,095. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,330 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $23,747. Set against $11,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,335 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $26,386 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #18 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,957. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $28,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $28,706 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Valley City State University landed the #21 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,074. General Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,074 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Red Lake Nation College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Red Lake Nation College is a small public school located in the rural area of Red Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,640.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,821. General Studies graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota College At Bottineau ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Dakota College At Bottineau generally make around $66,195. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $40,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
