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2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

52 Ranked Colleges
3,291 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value 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 41st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,291 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,616 and $27,696 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 52 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education 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 general education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The 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 Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

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 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 education degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $11,291 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL General Education Report

2

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 38 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region 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 yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $13,715 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Education at Mizzou

3

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #3 spot on the list. SMU MN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 262 ’s 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 yearly cost to attend SMU MN is $18,683 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at SMU MN

4

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 19 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $14,641 for plains states region 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Iowa State University

5

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value 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. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $13,364 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read full report on General Education at UMN Duluth

6
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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

7
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 23 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,911 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MSU.

Read more about General Education at Minot State University

8
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #8, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 32 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $15,289 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Winona State University

9

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Marshall, Minnesota, and it awarded 110 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Southwest Minnesota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University General Education Report

10

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 23 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $14,995 for Plains States Region 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 more about General Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

11

Fort Hays State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Hays, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 242 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $13,208 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full FHSU General Education Report

12
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Hamline University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 56 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,028 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Hamline University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Hamline General Education Report

13
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

With a ranking of #13, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $15,453 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full St. Olaf General Education Report

14
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

Martin Luther College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. New Ulm, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

MLC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,610 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Martin Luther College.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Martin Luther College General Education Report

15
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

With a ranking of #15, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 73 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $15,749 for plains states region 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 full report on General Education at Lindenwood University

16
Northeast crest
Northeast Community College
Norfolk, Nebraska

Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Northeast is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast Community College is $9,339 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northeast General Education Report

17
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 1 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $15,818 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 General Education at UND

18
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,868 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kansas State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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

19
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 19 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $14,520 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Bemidji State University

20
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $18,026 for plains states region 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 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%.

Read more about General Education at University of Iowa

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,768 for Plains States Region Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at University of Missouri - Kansas City

22
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Storm Lake, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Buena Vista University is $15,581 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. 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%.

Full BVU General Education Report

23
Concordia College Moorhead crest
Concordia College at Moorhead
Moorhead, Minnesota

Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Concordia College at Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Concordia College Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia College at Moorhead is $18,992 for Plains States Region 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%.

Full Concordia College at Moorhead General Education Report

24
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 3 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bellevue University is $14,728 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Bellevue University

25

Southwest Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Southwest Baptist University is a small school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 75 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Southwest Baptist University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Southwest Baptist University is $15,408 for plains states region education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Education at Southwest Baptist University

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