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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

83 Ranked Colleges
23,973 Degrees Awarded
$6,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 83 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Charles Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. St Charles Community College is a public institution located in Cottleville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 525 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend St Charles Community College is $2,183 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at St Charles Community College

#19 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 325 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $2,963 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Metropolitan Community College

#3

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bismarck State College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Bismarck State College is a small public school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. 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. The yearly cost to attend BSC is $6,514 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Bismarck State College Liberal Arts Report

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school handed out 1,180 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DMACC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Des Moines Area Community College is $8,543 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at DMACC

#5

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Southeastern Community College is a public institution located in West Burlington, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 216 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $6,527 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

#6

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

Saint Louis Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,377 students 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. It costs about $7,013 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Saint Louis Community College

#10 in overall quality

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 1,147 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $6,519 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full MCC Liberal Arts Report

#8

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas

Hutchinson Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hutchinson Community College is a public institution located in Hutchinson, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 572 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Hutchinson Community College is $6,606 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Hutchinson Community College

#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 $30-$48k list. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 314 associates’s 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. The yearly cost to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College is $6,970 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full St Cloud Technical and Community College Liberal Arts Report

#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 $30-$48k list. Mid-Plains Community College is a small school located in North Platte, Nebraska that handed out 176 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Mid-Plains Community College is $5,061 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Mid-Plains Community College

North Iowa Area Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 405 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for North Iowa Area Community College is $7,397 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at North Iowa Area Community College

#12

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

Normandale Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 687 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Normandale Community College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $11,248 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Normandale Community College

#13

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

Marshalltown Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 146 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $5,012 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Marshalltown Community College Liberal Arts Report

#14

Coffeyville Community College

Coffeyville, Kansas

Coffeyville Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Coffeyville, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 228 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,142 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Coffeyville Community College

#15

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
#11 in overall quality

Century College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 400 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students 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 yearly cost to attend Century College is $9,441 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Century College

Northeast Iowa 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 $30-$48k ranking. NICC is a public institution located in Calmar, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 128 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,153 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeast Iowa Community College.

Full NICC Liberal Arts Report

#17

Western Nebraska Community College

Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Western Nebraska Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and it awarded 38 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,767 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WNCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Western Nebraska Community College

#18

Highland Community College

Highland, Kansas

Highland Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Highland, Kansas, and it awarded 120 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,478 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Highland Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Highland Community College

#19

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott, Kansas

Fort Scott Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. FSCC is a small public school situated in Fort Scott, Kansas. It awarded 160 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Scott Community College is $3,898 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Fort Scott Community College Liberal Arts Report

#20

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Kirkwood Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school handed out 730 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students 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 yearly cost to attend Kirkwood Community College is $8,831 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Kirkwood Community College Liberal Arts Report

Southeast Community College Area came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College is $7,573 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southeast Community College Area

#22

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota
#17 in overall quality

North Dakota State College of Science landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Dakota State College of Science is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 101 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

North Dakota State College of Science also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $8,010 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State College of Science.

Full North Dakota State College of Science Liberal Arts Report

#23

Moberly Area Community College

Moberly, Missouri

Moberly Area Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Moberly, Missouri, and it awarded 527 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,741 for plains states region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MACC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Moberly Area Community College

#24

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

North Hennepin Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Hennepin Community College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 292 associates’s degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend North Hennepin Community College is $9,195 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at North Hennepin Community College

#25

State Fair Community College

Sedalia, Missouri

State Fair Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Sedalia, Missouri, and it awarded 424 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,844 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend State Fair Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at State Fair 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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