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2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

22 Ranked Colleges
261 Degrees Awarded
$12,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Geography is the 144th most popular major in the country with 5,476 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Plains States region, there were 331 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 261 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in geography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geography program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The geography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 22 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geography (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,418 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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 more about Geography at UMN Twin Cities

#2

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Macalester College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Macalester is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 22 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Macalester, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $14,047 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Macalester College Geography Report

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,992 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.

Read full report on Geography at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,595 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 89%.

Read full report on Geography at Mizzou

#5

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Park University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Park University also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $14,034 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Park University.

Read more about Geography at Park University

#6

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,495 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNI.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Northern Iowa Geography Report

#7

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

Bemidji State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 3 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Bemidji State University also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,658 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bemidji State University.

Full Bemidji State University Geography Report

#8

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,274 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

Full Saint Cloud State University Geography Report

#9

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#12 in overall quality

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $11,916 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography at UND

#19 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $11,460 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geography at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#11 in overall quality

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 13 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UNL also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNL is $13,508 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at UNL

#21 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwest has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,863 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Geography Report

#17 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $11,781 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at Minnesota State Mankato

#14

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 8 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Gustavus Adolphus also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $11,669 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geography at Gustavus Adolphus

#15

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#10 in overall quality

South Dakota State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 14 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $16,273 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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 more about Geography at South Dakota State

#22 in overall quality

Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Missouri Southern has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,416 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri Southern.

Full Missouri Southern Geography Report

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#9 in overall quality

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $15,073 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, 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 students.

Read full report on Geography at University of Iowa

#18

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#14 in overall quality

Kansas State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kansas State University is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $15,089 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full K -State Geography Report

#20 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,488 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

Read full report on Geography at Missouri State

#20

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 5 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,553 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

Read full report on Geography at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#21

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#13 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, KU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,380 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full KU Geography Report

#22

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UST MN, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UST MN is $26,365 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Geography 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

Footnotes

  • *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 Couleur.

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