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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

90 Ranked Colleges
26,538 Degrees Awarded
$7,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 366,996 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts is the 2nd most popular major in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 26,538 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 90 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts 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 liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 353 students in 2020-2021.

MCC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $3,257 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College.

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 full report on Liberal Arts at MCC

2
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St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Charles Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cottleville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 531 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k 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 St Charles Community College is $2,536 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at St Charles Community College

3

Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City landed the #3 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 2,357 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, MCC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,795 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

4
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Garden City Community College
Garden City, Kansas

Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Garden City Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. 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 $4,632 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Garden City Community College.

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 Garden City Community College Liberal Arts Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend State Fair Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Sedalia, Missouri, and it awarded 429 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend State Fair Community College is $6,195 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full State Fair Community College Liberal Arts Report

6
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Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota

With a ranking of #6, Bismarck State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bismarck State College is a small public school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 352 ’s liberal studies degrees 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 $6,399 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Bismarck State College

7
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Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, North Dakota

Dakota College at Bottineau did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. MSU-Bottineau is a public institution located in Bottineau, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU-Bottineau not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,077 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU-Bottineau.

Full Dakota College at Bottineau Liberal Arts Report

8

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $6,388 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Western Iowa Tech Community College

9

Marshalltown Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 142 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Marshalltown Community College is $6,207 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Marshalltown Community College

10

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 1,045 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,122 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DMACC.

Full DMACC Liberal Arts Report

11

Barton County Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Barton Community College is a small public school situated in Great Bend, Kansas. It awarded 314 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Barton Community College is $8,830 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Barton Community College Liberal Arts Report

12
Independence Community College crest
Independence Community College
Independence, Kansas

Independence Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Independence Community College is a small public school situated in Independence, Kansas. It awarded 13 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Independence Community College is $5,049 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Independence Community College

13
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 218 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Liberal Arts at Iowa

14

Iowa Central Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 419 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Iowa Central Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Central Community College is $7,776 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Iowa Central Community College

15

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Hays, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 356 students in 2020-2021.

FHSU also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Fort Hays State University is $10,847 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full FHSU Liberal Arts Report

16
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Northeast Community College
Norfolk, Nebraska

Northeast Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Norfolk, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast Community College is $7,170 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Northeast

17

Labette Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Labette Community College is a public institution located in Parsons, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Labette Community College is $5,741 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Labette Community College

18
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University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 102 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $8,324 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Liberal Arts Report

19
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Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Century College is a medium-sized school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 426 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Century College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $8,628 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Century College

20
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Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville, Kansas

Coffeyville Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Coffeyville, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 178 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,943 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.

Full Coffeyville Community College Liberal Arts Report

21

St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 326 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,618 for plains states region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at St Cloud Technical and Community College

22
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1,372 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $7,142 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Saint Louis Community College

23
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Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, Iowa

Southeastern Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southeastern Community College is a small school located in West Burlington, Iowa that handed out 248 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $5,443 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

24
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Mid-Plains Community College
North Platte, Nebraska

Mid-Plains Community 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 $30-$48k ranking. Mid-Plains Community College is a public institution located in North Platte, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 180 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Mid-Plains Community College is $4,352 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Mid-Plains Community College

25

Minnesota State Community and Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 285 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Community and Technical College is $9,057 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

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