2023 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
14
Ranked Colleges
530
Degrees Awarded
$13,100
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 9,899 people earned their degree in environmental studies, making the major the 87th most popular in the United States.
Across the Plains States region, there were 530 environmental studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 14 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in environmental studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great environmental studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the environmental studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Environmental Studies Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 26 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Iowa State
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #2 spot on the list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at UMN Duluth
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNL also took the #3 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Macalester College landed the #4 spot on the list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Macalester, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Macalester College is $13,926 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Macalester College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
UMN Morris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $3,941 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at UMN Morris
University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 38 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.
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%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at University of Iowa
South Dakota State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,171 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State University Environmental Studies Report
St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
St. Olaf also took the #9 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Olaf College is $11,112 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full St. Olaf Environmental Studies Report
Webster University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Webster University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 35 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster is $18,047 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Webster
University of Kansas ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend KU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full University of Kansas Environmental Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 21 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bemidji State University, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,178 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bemidji State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Bemidji State University
With a ranking of #12, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gustavus Adolphus is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $15,735 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Gustavus Adolphus
Saint Johns University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SJU is located in Collegeville, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
SJU also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for SJU is $15,314 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Environmental Studies at SJU
Luther College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Decorah, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Luther, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Luther is $21,838 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Environmental Studies at Luther 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
- *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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.
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