by our College Data Analytics TeamWashington University In St Louis ranks #1 of 214 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in the Plains States Region ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 74% six-year graduation rate and $78,589 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the Plains States Region, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **214** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 214 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Washington University In St Louis leads the 214 ranked colleges in the Plains States Region, followed by University Of Minnesota Twin Cities (#2) and University Of Missouri Columbia (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Washington University In St Louis this year in the Plains States Region. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Median early-career earnings reach $68,303. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete a degree here.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,395. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,134. The median student debt is $21,818.
A rank of #4 makes University Of St Thomas Minnesota one of the top colleges in the Plains States Region. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. University Of St Thomas Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Carleton College one of the top colleges in the Plains States Region. Located in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,892. Median early-career earnings reach $45,096. The median student debt is $17,566.
Drake University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,228. The median student debt is $22,273.
University Of Iowa ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Median early-career earnings reach $57,375. University Of Iowa students take on a median of $24,463 in debt.
University Of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #8 spot in the Plains States Region this year. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $16,973, compared with $39,962 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Medical Center graduates report median early-career earnings of $85,223. Students borrow a median of $20,905 to complete a degree here.
Iowa State University landed the #9 spot in the Plains States Region this year. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $54,204. Iowa State University students take on a median of $23,496 in debt.
Creighton University landed the #10 spot in the Plains States Region this year. Creighton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Omaha, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Median early-career earnings reach $64,369. The median student debt is $25,831.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #11 among the best colleges in the Plains States Region. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Median early-career earnings reach $65,599. The median student debt is $26,586.
Grinnell College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Grinnell, IA. Grinnell College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,888. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete a degree here.
University Of Kansas landed the #13 spot in the Plains States Region this year. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,289. Graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans.
St Olaf College landed the #14 spot in the Plains States Region this year. Located in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans.
St Louis College Of Pharmacy did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Saint Louis, MO, St Louis College Of Pharmacy is a private not-for-profit institution. St Louis College Of Pharmacy graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $32,550. Early-career graduates earn a median of $111,406.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. The median student debt is $22,386.
Saint Johns University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Collegeville, MN, Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Johns University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,816. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,646 to complete a degree here.
University Of Minnesota Duluth did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Median early-career earnings reach $46,572. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete a degree here.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Early-career graduates earn a median of $74,532. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete a degree here.
University Of Minnesota Rochester landed the #20 spot in the Plains States Region this year. Set in Rochester, MN, University Of Minnesota Rochester is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Rochester graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,016. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,988 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $22,115 in student loans.
Rockhurst University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,966. Early-career graduates earn a median of $70,849. Rockhurst University students take on a median of $24,111 in debt.
Gustavus Adolphus College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Saint Peter, MN, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Gustavus Adolphus College students take on a median of $26,197 in debt.
University Of North Dakota came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Median early-career earnings reach $64,378. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete a degree here.
Bethel University Minnesota did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans.
Winona State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,109. Typical student debt is $24,551.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 214 in the Plains States Region. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
