2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
90
Ranked Colleges
26,538
Degrees Awarded
$7,600
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.
Across the Plains States region, there were 26,538 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 90 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 353 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, MCC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $3,325 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Metropolitan Community College Liberal Arts Report
Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, St Charles Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Cottleville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 531 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, SCC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SCC is $2,107 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full SCC Liberal Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Garden City Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Garden City Community College is located in Garden City, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 182 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $3,934 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Garden City Community College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Garden City Community College Liberal Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dakota College at Bottineau. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. MSU-Bottineau is a small public school situated in Bottineau, North Dakota. It awarded 74 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU-Bottineau, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dakota College at Bottineau is $8,324 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Dakota College at Bottineau
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 2,357 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,125 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at MCC
University of Iowa landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 218 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $13,554 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Iowa
Bismarck State College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 352 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
BSC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bismarck State College is $6,265 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Bismarck State College
State Fair Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. State Fair Community College is located in Sedalia, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 429 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for State Fair Community College is $6,179 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at State Fair Community College
Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school awarded 1,045 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
DMACC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $8,177 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full DMACC Liberal Arts Report
With a ranking of #10, Independence Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Independence Community College is located in Independence, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Independence Community College is $6,146 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Independence Community College
Marshalltown Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 142 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $5,805 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Marshalltown Community College Liberal Arts Report
Iowa Central Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Iowa Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 419 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Central Community College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,872 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa Central Community College.
Full Iowa Central Community College Liberal Arts Report
University of Northern Iowa came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,513 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNI.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 Liberal Arts at University of Northern Iowa
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,071 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Liberal Arts Report
University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 115 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 KU Liberal Arts Report
Fort Hays State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 356 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
FHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $9,774 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Fort Hays State University
Barton County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Barton Community College is a small public school situated in Great Bend, Kansas. It awarded 314 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,303 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Barton Community College.
Full Barton County Community College Liberal Arts Report
With a ranking of #18, Labette Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Parsons, Kansas, and it awarded 60 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Labette Community College is $5,821 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Labette Community College
Southeastern Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in West Burlington, Iowa, and it awarded 248 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,752 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southeastern Community College.
Full Southeastern Community College Liberal Arts Report
Johnson County Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johnson County Community College is a public institution located in Overland Park, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,257 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
JCCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $11,535 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend JCCC.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at JCCC
Saint Louis Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,372 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $6,179 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Saint Louis Community College
Iowa Western Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 440 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa Western Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Western Community College is $9,587 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Iowa Western Community College Liberal Arts Report
Coffeyville Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Coffeyville Community College is a public institution located in Coffeyville, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 178 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,401 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Coffeyville Community College
Century College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 426 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Century College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $8,850 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Century College Liberal Arts Report
Iowa State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Liberal Arts at Iowa State University
