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

84 Ranked Colleges
23,973 Degrees Awarded
$6,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 365,980 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts is the 2nd most popular major in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 26,613 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 23,973 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 84 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, St Charles Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Cottleville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 525 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $1,623 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St Charles Community College.

Full SCC Liberal Arts Report

#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 325 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, MCC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $2,894 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

#3

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Louis Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 1,377 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Saint Louis Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis Community College is $5,930 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Saint Louis Community College

#4

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bismarck State College landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it awarded 405 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

BSC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $6,205 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bismarck State College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at BSC

#5

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeastern Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 216 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,925 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southeastern Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,147 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

MCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,298 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at MCC

#1 in overall quality

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,180 students in 2019-2020.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $7,776 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Des Moines Area Community College

#8

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas

With a ranking of #8, Hutchinson Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hutchinson Community College is located in Hutchinson, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 572 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Hutchinson Community College is $6,159 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Hutchinson Community College Liberal Arts Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 314 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

St Cloud Technical and Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $7,142 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at St Cloud Technical and Community College

#10

Mid-Plains Community College

North Platte, Nebraska

With a ranking of #10, Mid-Plains Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Platte, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 176 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Mid-Plains Community College is $4,795 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Mid-Plains Community College

#11

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Kirkwood Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large school located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that handed out 730 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Kirkwood Community College is $8,067 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Kirkwood Community College

#12

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

Marshalltown Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshalltown Community College is located in Marshalltown, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 146 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,073 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marshalltown Community College.

Full Marshalltown Community College Liberal Arts Report

North Iowa Area Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mason City, Iowa, this small public school awarded 405 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $6,551 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full North Iowa Area Community College Liberal Arts Report

#14

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Normandale Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Normandale Community College is a public institution located in Bloomington, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 687 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Normandale Community College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $10,860 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Normandale Community College

With a ranking of #15, Southeast Community College Area did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 90 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Community College is $6,946 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southeast Community College Area

#16

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott, Kansas

Fort Scott Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fort Scott, Kansas, this small public school awarded 160 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for FSCC is $3,615 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full FSCC Liberal Arts Report

#17

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, Kansas

Cowley County Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arkansas City, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 320 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Cowley County Community College is $6,901 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Cowley College Liberal Arts Report

#18

Western Nebraska Community College

Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Western Nebraska Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Nebraska Community College is located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Western Nebraska Community College is $4,428 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Western Nebraska Community College Liberal Arts Report

#19

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota
#17 in overall quality

North Dakota State College of Science did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. North Dakota State College of Science is a small public school situated in Wahpeton, North Dakota. It awarded 101 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State College of Science also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State College of Science is $7,720 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at North Dakota State College of Science

#20

Moberly Area Community College

Moberly, Missouri

Moberly Area Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Moberly, Missouri, and it awarded 527 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,239 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moberly Area Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Moberly Area Community College

#21

Coffeyville Community College

Coffeyville, Kansas

Coffeyville Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school situated in Coffeyville, Kansas. It awarded 228 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,395 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Coffeyville Community College

#22

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Century College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 400 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Century College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,460 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Century College

#23

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

North Hennepin Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 292 students in 2019-2020.

North Hennepin Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,674 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Hennepin Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at North Hennepin Community College

#24

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 639 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $9,754 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College Liberal Arts Report

#25

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

Inver Hills Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Inver Hills Community College is a small school located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota that handed out 326 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

IHCC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,395 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IHCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Inver Hills Community College

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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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