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2023 Best Value Colleges for Mathematics in the Plains States Region

21 Ranked Colleges
1,934 Degrees Awarded
$18,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 30,202 people earned their degree in mathematics, making the major the 35th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, mathematics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $45,168 and had an average of $21,863 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,934 mathematics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,379 and $22,002 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in mathematics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent mathematics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

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

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region math students.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Mathematics in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Math students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mathematics at North Dakota State University

2
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $18,578 for Plains States Region Math students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 South Dakota State Mathematics Report

3
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $12,301 for plains states region math students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Truman State Mathematics Report

4

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for plains states region math students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State Mathematics Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for plains states region math students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Read more about Mathematics at UNI

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNL is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 123 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region math students list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region Math students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full UNL Mathematics Report

7

Emporia State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #7. ESU is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 28 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region math students list, ESU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $14,794 for Plains States Region Math students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%.

Read full report on Mathematics at Emporia State University

8

With a ranking of #8, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s math degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Math students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State Mathematics Report

9
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 19 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $16,966 for plains states region math students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Read more about Mathematics at University of North Dakota

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 78 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region math students list, KU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $20,257 for Plains States Region Math students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mathematics at University of Kansas

11
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 40 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $18,433 for Plains States Region Math students per year to attend K -State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mathematics at K -State

12

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $13,914 for plains states region math students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA Mathematics Report

13

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 245 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,878 for Plains States Region Math students per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mathematics at UMN Twin Cities

14

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,559 for plains states region math students per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Mathematics at University of Missouri - Columbia

15
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 115 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region math students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Iowa Mathematics Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s math degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region math students list, Concordia College Moorhead has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia College Moorhead is $23,189 for plains states region math students.

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%.

Read more about Mathematics at Concordia College at Moorhead

17

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $12,232 for plains states region math students per year to attend UMSL.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 University of Missouri - St Louis Mathematics Report

18
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. St. Olaf is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 68 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $24,052 for Plains States Region Math students per year to attend St Olaf College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full St. Olaf Mathematics Report

19
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 56 degrees to qualified ’s math students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region math students list, Macalester has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $27,764 for Plains States Region Math students.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mathematics at Macalester College

20
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region list. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s math degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carleton, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carleton College is $28,928 for plains states region math students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mathematics at Carleton College

21

Washington University in St Louis landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Math Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 94 ’s math degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Mathematics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $26,921 for Plains States Region Math students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Mathematics at WUSTL

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