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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

28 Ranked Colleges
2,373 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value General Education Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Education is the 28th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,296 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,373 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education 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 general education 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The general education 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 General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’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 #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 20 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth General Education Report

#2

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minot State University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 17 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MSU are $9,936.

Full Minot State University General Education Report

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 124 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwest Minnesota State University also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwest Minnesota State University are $8,526, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

#4

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bemidji State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 11 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bemidji State University are $9,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Bemidji State University

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Iowa State General Education Report

#18 in overall quality

Fort Hays State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FHSU is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 187 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, FHSU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fort Hays State University are $11,376, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at Fort Hays State University

#7

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Winona State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State University are $12,378.

Full Winona State University General Education Report

#12 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 18 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788.

Read more about General Education at Minnesota State Mankato

#9

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #9, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #0 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UND General Education Report

#10

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#5 in overall quality

Augustana University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Augustana University is a small school located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that handed out 128 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana Sioux Falls also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Augustana Sioux Falls are $36,480.

Read more about General Education at Augustana University

#11

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Fontbonne University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fontbonne University is a small school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 21 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fontbonne University are $14,400.

Read more about General Education at Fontbonne University

#1 in overall quality

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 206 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

SMU MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SMU MN are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

#13

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at University of Iowa

#14

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

Saint Louis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 7 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074.

Full SLU General Education Report

#15

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

Hamline University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 24 degrees to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Hamline has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline are $11,577, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Hamline

#16

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#24 in overall quality

St Catherine University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St Catherine University is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 6 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Kate’s has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Education at St Catherine University

#17

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rockhurst University is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Rockhurst not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rockhurst University are $16,780.

Read more about General Education at Rockhurst University

#18

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
#15 in overall quality

Southwest Baptist University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 masters’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Southwest Baptist University also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwest Baptist University are $5,423, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Education at Southwest Baptist University

#19

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
#19 in overall quality

Baker University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Baker is a small school located in Baldwin City, Kansas that handed out 70 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Baker also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baker University are $11,844, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Baker University General Education Report

#20

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Grand View University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand View University is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 16 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grand View University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand View University are $9,170.

Read more about General Education at Grand View University

#21

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

Bethel University Minnesota also made our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bethel University Minnesota are $11,700.

Full Bethel University Minnesota General Education Report

#22

University of Saint Mary

Leavenworth, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

University of Saint Mary landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Leavenworth, Kansas. It awarded 5 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

University of St. Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Saint Mary are $11,124, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of St. Mary General Education Report

#23

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Northwestern - St Paul ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree general education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northwestern - St Paul are $8,982, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at University of Northwestern - St Paul

#24

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

Martin Luther College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MLC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Ulm, Minnesota. It awarded 19 masters’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

MLC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MLC are $5,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Education at MLC

#25

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Webster University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s general education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Education at Webster

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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 KOKUYO.

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