2023 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
14
Ranked Colleges
530
Degrees Awarded
$13,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 14 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in environmental studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality environmental studies 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 environmental studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 26 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $11,427 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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 full report on Environmental Studies at Iowa State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 32 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $8,697 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 University of Minnesota - Duluth
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Morris is a small school located in Morris, Minnesota that handed out 12 ’s ecosystem studies degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $2,230 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of Minnesota - Morris
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 35 degrees to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
UNL also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,453 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of Nebraska - Lincoln
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Olaf College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $11,138 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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.
Read more about Environmental Studies at St Olaf College
Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. 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.
Macalester also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $10,543 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.
Full Macalester College Environmental Studies Report
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 $30-$48k ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $14,846 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 Environmental Studies Report
Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 17 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Gustavus Adolphus also took the #12 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,445 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national 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 Environmental Studies at Gustavus Adolphus
University of Iowa came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Iowa
Bemidji State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
Bemidji State University also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,377 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about Environmental Studies at Bemidji State University
University of Kansas came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $16,288 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Full University of Kansas Environmental Studies Report
Webster University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Webster is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Webster also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $20,039 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Webster University
Saint Johns University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SJU is a small school located in Collegeville, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
SJU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,058 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SJU.
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 Saint Johns University
Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Luther College is located in Decorah, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Luther College is $20,153 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Luther College Environmental Studies Report
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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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