2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
52
Ranked Colleges
3,291
Degrees Awarded
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 31st most popular in the United States.
Across the Plains States region, there were 3,291 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 52 colleges that offer a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Education Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 79 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $11,291 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UMSL
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about General Education at University of Missouri - Columbia
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a small school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 262 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SMU MN, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SMU MN is $18,683 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota General Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 19 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $14,641 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 General Education at Iowa State
Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 13 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $13,364 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at UMN Duluth
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 21 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Gustavus Adolphus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on General Education at Gustavus Adolphus College
Minot State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MSU is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 23 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $11,911 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Minot State University General Education Report
Winona State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 32 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Winona State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $15,289 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read more about General Education at Winona State
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution located in Marshall, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Southwest Minnesota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Minnesota State University is $12,156 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about General Education at Southwest Minnesota State University
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 23 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $14,995 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Minnesota State Mankato
With a ranking of #11, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 242 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,208 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fort Hays State University.
Read more about General Education at FHSU
Hamline University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Hamline University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
Hamline also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Hamline is $19,028 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.
Full Hamline General Education Report
With a ranking of #13, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. St. Olaf is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
St. Olaf did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $15,453 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Education at St Olaf College
Martin Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. MLC is located in New Ulm, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.
MLC also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Martin Luther College is $18,610 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 General Education at MLC
Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 73 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lindenwood University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $15,749 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Lindenwood University
Northeast Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northeast is $9,339 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Northeast Community College
University of North Dakota ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 1 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $15,818 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at UND
Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 15 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
K -State also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $16,868 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at K -State
With a ranking of #19, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 19 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $14,520 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 General Education at Bemidji State University
University of Iowa came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 27 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $18,026 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 88%.
Read more about General Education at University of Iowa
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 7 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,768 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 UMKC General Education Report
With a ranking of #22, Buena Vista University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Storm Lake, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend BVU is $15,581 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about General Education at BVU
Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Concordia College at Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia College Moorhead, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,992 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Education at Concordia College at Moorhead
Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 3 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Bellevue University is $14,728 for plains states region general education students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Bellevue University General Education Report
Southwest Baptist University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bolivar, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southwest Baptist University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Baptist University is $15,408 for Plains States Region General Education students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on General Education at Southwest Baptist University
