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2024 Best Schools for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region for Bachelor's Degrees

143 Colleges
$10,557 Avg Net Price (With Aid)*
72% Discount Rate*

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a degree. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard. This list is proof that you shouldn't avoid normally high-priced schools, since the actual price may be very affordable if you qualify for financial aid.

In This Year's Value Report:

Your Choice of School Matters

Our analysis looked at 143 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones have the best value Bachelor's Degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best value schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.

Our Methodology

To calculate the value of a school in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking, we first consider its average net price of students from families making $30-$48k a year. The net price is the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that that the student receives. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a good education, not just how much it costs.

To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.

You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.

Without Aid Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Bachelor's Degrees
To get a better picture of the best value schools for your income range or for whether or not you'll receive aid, click on one of the tiles above. If you'd rather work on your degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.

Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Our analysis found Washington University in St Louis to be the best value (income $30-$48k) school for bachelor’s degrees in the Plains States Region in this year’s ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Washington University in St Louis has the honor of being ranked #1 in Missouri for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $4,928.

Learn More About Value at Washington University in St Louis

2

The quality degree programs at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,356.

Learn More About Value at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3

A rank of #3 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list means Missouri University of Science and Technology is a great place for students working on their degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Rolla, Missouri.

Missouri University of Science and Technology has the honor of being ranked #2 in Missouri for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $8,340.

Read full value report on Missouri University of Science and Technology

4

A rank of #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list means Iowa State University is a great place for students working on their degree. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Not only is Iowa State University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Iowa for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,986.

Learn More About Value at Iowa State University

5

The quality degree programs at University of Minnesota - Crookston helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region. UMN Crookston is located in Crookston, Minnesota and has a small student population. It is a public school.

Not only is University of Minnesota - Crookston a great value, but it is also ranked #21 in Minnesota for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $5,525.

Learn More About Value at University of Minnesota - Crookston

6

University of Minnesota - Morris ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. University of Minnesota - Morris is a small public school located in Morris, Minnesota.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Minnesota - Morris is ranked #28 for quality in the state of Minnesota. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $3,397.

Learn More About Value at University of Minnesota - Morris

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Not only is University of Minnesota - Duluth a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in Minnesota for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $8,677.

Read full value report on University of Minnesota - Duluth

8
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

University of Northern Iowa has the honor of being ranked #4 in Iowa for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $11,562.

Full University of Northern Iowa Value Report

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa.

University of Iowa has the honor of being ranked #2 in Iowa for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,089.

Learn More About Value at University of Iowa

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri.

Not only is University of Missouri - Columbia a great value, but it is also ranked #3 in Missouri for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,992.

Read full value report on University of Missouri - Columbia

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the school is a large public institution.

Not only is University of Nebraska - Lincoln a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Nebraska for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,585.

Read full value report on University of Nebraska - Lincoln

12
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. Truman State University is a small public school located in Kirksville, Missouri.

Not only is Truman State University a great value, but it is also ranked #12 in Missouri for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,271.

Learn More About Value at Truman State University

13
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. Macalester is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Macalester College has the honor of being ranked #6 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $11,010.

Read full value report on Macalester College

14
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Valley City, North Dakota, the school is a small public institution.

Not only is Valley City State University a great value, but it is also ranked #4 in North Dakota for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $9,543.

Learn More About Value at Valley City State University

15
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school located in Saint Louis, Missouri.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Missouri - St Louis is ranked #8 for quality in the state of Missouri. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,582.

Read full value report on University of Missouri - St Louis

16

With a ranking of #16, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Fargo, North Dakota.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, North Dakota State University - Main Campus is ranked #1 for quality in the state of North Dakota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,445.

Learn More About Value at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

17
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Northfield, Minnesota.

Not only is St Olaf College a great value, but it is also ranked #5 in Minnesota for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,602.

Learn More About Value at St Olaf College

18
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. Bellevue, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Bellevue University has the honor of being ranked #3 in Nebraska for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,319.

Read full value report on Bellevue University

19

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Kansas City, Missouri.

University of Missouri - Kansas City has the honor of being ranked #6 in Missouri for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,985.

Learn More About Value at University of Missouri - Kansas City

20
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Northfield, Minnesota.

Carleton College has the honor of being ranked #2 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $15,081.

Full Carleton College Value Report

21
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of North Dakota is ranked #2 for quality in the state of North Dakota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,965.

Learn More About Value at University of North Dakota

22

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #22 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota.

Minnesota State University - Mankato has the honor of being ranked #9 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,808.

Read full value report on Minnesota State University - Mankato

23

With a ranking of #23, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Not only is University of Nebraska at Omaha a great value, but it is also ranked #4 in Nebraska for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $11,498.

Learn More About Value at University of Nebraska at Omaha

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Not only is University of Kansas a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in Kansas for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $15,183.

Learn More About Value at University of Kansas

25
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Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck State College landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking. This small public school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Bismarck State College is ranked #7 for quality in the state of North Dakota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,198.

Learn More About Value at Bismarck State College

View Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools (Income $30-$48k) Nationwide >

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Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region ranking:

Rank College Location Value
26 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Value Report
27 Winona State University Winona, MN Value Report
28 Minot State University Minot, ND Value Report
29 Wichita State University Wichita, KS Value Report

More Rankings >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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