Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Education

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

19 Ranked Colleges
1,029 Degrees Awarded
$11,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 310,601 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 32,592 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,310 and $28,608 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,029 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 19 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Highland Community College

Highland, Kansas
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Highland Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Highland Community College is a small school located in Highland, Kansas that handed out 48 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Highland Community College, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Highland Community College is $6,680 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Highland Community College Education Report

#2

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeast Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Northeast is a medium-sized school located in Norfolk, Nebraska that handed out 59 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northeast has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,726 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeast.

Full Northeast Community College Education Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Cloud Technical and Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. St Cloud Technical and Community College is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

St Cloud Technical and Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,142 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College.

Full St Cloud Technical and Community College Education Report

#4

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minot State University landed the #4 spot on the list. MSU is a small public school situated in Minot, North Dakota. It awarded 2 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU also took the #3 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $8,923 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Minot State University

#5

Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ozarks Technical Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. OTC is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 98 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ozarks Technical Community College is $6,090 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at OTC

#6

Three Rivers College

Poplar Bluff, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

Three Rivers College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and it awarded 66 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Three Rivers College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Three Rivers College is $7,720 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Three Rivers College Education Report

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Moberly Area Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Moberly Area Community College is located in Moberly, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

MACC also took the #16 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Moberly Area Community College is $6,239 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Moberly Area Community College

#8

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

Century College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 19 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Century College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $9,460 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Century College

#9

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Northland Community and Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 11 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northland Community and Technical College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northland Community and Technical College is $8,516 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Northland Community and Technical College

#10

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, Nebraska
#11 in overall quality

College of Saint Mary came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s education degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Saint Mary also took the #11 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,944 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of Saint Mary.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at College of Saint Mary

#11

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Normandale Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 19 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Normandale Community College also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $10,860 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Normandale Community College

#12

Butler Community College

El Dorado, Kansas
#15 in overall quality

Butler Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This medium-sized school is located in El Dorado, Kansas, and it awarded 57 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Butler CC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Butler Community College is $12,351 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Butler Community College

#13

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#13 in overall quality

Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 1 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Concordia University, Saint Paul has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,423 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Education Report

#14

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit institution located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rasmussen University - Minnesota also took the #2 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $17,479 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Education at Rasmussen University - Minnesota

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Rasmussen University - North Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 14 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rasmussen University - North Dakota, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - North Dakota is $18,180 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Rasmussen University - North Dakota

#16

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

Dordt University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s education degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Dordt also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $24,967 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Dordt University

#17

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

Southwest Baptist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bolivar, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s education degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southwest Baptist University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,909 for plains states region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southwest Baptist University.

Read more about Education at Southwest Baptist University

#18 in overall quality

Rasmussen University - Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Rasmussen University - Kansas is a small school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 3 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Rasmussen University - Kansas also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Rasmussen University - Kansas is $18,908 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Rasmussen University - Kansas

#19 in overall quality

Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 4 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Drury University - CCPS also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Drury University - CCPS is $12,351 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Drury University - CCPS

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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 Horadrim.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You