by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 23,649 associate degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The liberal studies associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for liberal arts students working on their associate degree.
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 Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It is difficult to beat Normandale Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Normandale Community College
Columbia College is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Columbia College
It's hard to beat Des Moines Area Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts. DMACC is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Ankeny.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Des Moines Area Community College
Every student who is interested in an associate degree in liberal arts needs to check out Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. MCC is a fairly large public college located in the city of Kansas City.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City
JCCC is a large public college located in the midsize city of Overland Park.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Johnson County Community College
Located in the large city of Omaha, MCC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Metropolitan Community College
Located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Located in the large suburb of Cottleville, SCC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from St Charles Community College
St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public college located in the city of Saint Cloud.More information about a associate in liberal arts from St Cloud Technical and Community College
Century College is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Century College
Located in the rural area of Bottineau, MSU-Bottineau is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Dakota College at Bottineau
Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 13 | Lake Superior College | Duluth, MN |
| 14 | Garden City Community College | Garden City, KS |
| 15 | Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA |
| 16 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
| 17 | Winona State University | Winona, MN |
| 18 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN |
Explore the best liberal arts colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 299 | 6,114 |
| Kansas | 275 | 5,399 |
| Missouri | 210 | 5,172 |
| Iowa | 200 | 5,268 |
| Nebraska | 163 | 932 |
| South Dakota | 148 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 144 | 764 |
One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, Liberal Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Studies | 1,843 |
| Individualized Studies | 884 |
