2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region
127
Ranked Colleges
32,968
Degrees Awarded
$17,000
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 327,871 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 32,968 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,320 and $27,260 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 127 colleges that offer a degree in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent 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 education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Education Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region education students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in the Plains States Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Nebraska. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region. Concordia University, Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Seward, Nebraska. It awarded 1,009 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Nebraska also made our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Nebraska is $22,035 for Plains States Region Education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Nebraska
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walden University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region. Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,924 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Walden University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Walden University Education Report
Out of the 127 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 208 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for plains states region education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at North Dakota State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minot State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region. Minot, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 132 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,205 for plains states region education students per year to attend MSU.
Full Minot State University Education Report
Out of the 127 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Martin Luther College landed the #5 spot on the list. MLC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Ulm, Minnesota. It awarded 160 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
MLC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MLC is $22,205 for Plains States Region Education students.
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 Education Report
With a ranking of #6, Capella University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,463 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Capella University is $16,545 for plains states region education students.
Read full report on Education at Capella University
Valley City State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Valley City, North Dakota, and it awarded 282 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,676 for Plains States Region Education students per year to attend Valley City State University.
Read more about Education at Valley City State University
University of Northern Iowa came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 674 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region education students list, UNI has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for plains states region education students.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UNI Education Report
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 618 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $21,101 for plains states region education students per year to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
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%.
Read more about Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Wayne State College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wayne State College is located in Wayne, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 334 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,141 for plains states region education students per year to attend WSC.
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%.
Full WSC Education Report
Hamline University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 382 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,474 for plains states region education students per year to attend Hamline University.
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 Education at Hamline University
Northeast Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northeast Community College is located in Norfolk, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Northeast Community College is $9,029 for Plains States Region Education students.
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 Community College Education Report
Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #13. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 850 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for Plains States Region Education students.
Read full report on Education at Northwest Missouri State University
With a ranking of #14, University of Mary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 134 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,572 for plains states region education students per year to attend UMary.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at University of Mary
Winona State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 302 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for Plains States Region Education students.
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%.
Full Winona State University Education Report
With a ranking of #16, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 204 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $19,389 for plains states region education students per year to attend USD.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Education at USD
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 635 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Minnesota State Mankato
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 796 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Missouri State excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Education students.
The undergrad 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 full report on Education at Missouri State
William Woods University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Fulton, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 387 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend William Woods University is $24,454 for Plains States Region Education students.
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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Education at William Woods University
With a ranking of #20, Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 255 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $13,872 for plains states region education students.
Read full report on Education at Southwest Minnesota State University
Dickinson State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Dickinson State University is a small school located in Dickinson, North Dakota that handed out 41 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson State University is $12,673 for Plains States Region Education students.
Read more about Education at DSU
Saint Cloud State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 393 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.
Full St. Cloud State University Education Report
South Dakota State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 137 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $18,578 for plains states region education students per year to attend South Dakota State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State University Education Report
Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 449 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for Plains States Region Education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Education Report
University of Sioux Falls ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Plains States Region list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Sioux Falls is $21,662 for Plains States Region Education students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Sioux Falls Education Report
