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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

100 Ranked Colleges
31,199 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 31,199 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,497 and $16,369 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 100 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 100 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 568 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, MCC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $3,257 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MCC

2
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Charles Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. St Charles Community College is a public institution located in Cottleville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 531 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, SCC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Charles Community College is $2,536 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SCC

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 2,357 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

MCC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is $6,795 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MCC

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Garden City Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Garden City, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 227 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Garden City Community College is $4,632 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Garden City Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend State Fair Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sedalia, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 429 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend State Fair Community College is $6,195 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at State Fair Community College

6
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Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck State College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bismarck State College is a small school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 352 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

BSC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $6,399 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BSC.

Full Bismarck State College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

7
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Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, North Dakota

Dakota College at Bottineau did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. MSU-Bottineau is located in Bottineau, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

MSU-Bottineau did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,077 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU-Bottineau.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MSU-Bottineau

8

Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this small public school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,987 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Haskell.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Haskell

9

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 124 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $6,388 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

10

Marshalltown Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Marshalltown Community College is a small school located in Marshalltown, Iowa that handed out 144 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $6,207 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Marshalltown Community College

11

With a ranking of #11, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 1,170 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

DMACC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Des Moines Area Community College is $8,122 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at DMACC

12

Barton County Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Great Bend, Kansas, and it awarded 382 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Barton County Community College is $8,830 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Barton Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

13
Independence Community College crest
Independence Community College
Independence, Kansas

Independence Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Independence Community College is located in Independence, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Independence Community College is $5,049 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Independence Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 221 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Iowa

15

Iowa Central Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 426 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,776 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa Central Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Iowa Central Community College

16

Fort Hays State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FHSU is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 356 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FHSU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,847 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fort Hays State University.

Full Fort Hays State University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

17

Northeast Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 76 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast is $7,170 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

Full Northeast Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

18

Labette Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Labette Community College is a small school located in Parsons, Kansas that handed out 84 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,741 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Labette Community College.

Full Labette Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 102 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,324 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

20
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,151 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of North Dakota

21
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

With a ranking of #21, Century College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 426 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Century College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $8,628 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Century College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

22

Coffeyville Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Coffeyville, Kansas, this small public school handed out 178 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,943 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Coffeyville Community College

23

With a ranking of #23, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 326 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,618 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at St Cloud Technical and Community College

24
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 1,372 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,142 for Plains States Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.

Full Saint Louis Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

25

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ozarks Technical Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 629 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,851 for plains states region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OTC.

Full Ozarks Technical Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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