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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

90 Ranked Colleges
26,538 Degrees Awarded
$9,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that 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.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 90 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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 liberal arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The liberal studies 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 Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid”.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 353 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $4,315 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

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%.

Full Metropolitan Community College Liberal Arts Report

2
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Charles Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This medium-sized school is located in Cottleville, Missouri, and it awarded 531 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St Charles Community College is $3,248 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at St Charles Community College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. 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 with aid list, MCC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,966 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City

4
MSU-Bottineau crest
Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, North Dakota

Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Dakota College at Bottineau landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Bottineau, North Dakota, and it awarded 74 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU-Bottineau also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Dakota College at Bottineau is $10,490 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Dakota College at Bottineau

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend State Fair Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. 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.

It costs about $6,607 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend State Fair Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at State Fair Community College

6
Garden City Community College crest
Garden City Community College
Garden City, Kansas

Garden City Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Garden City Community College is a public institution located in Garden City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 182 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Garden City Community College is $5,217 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Garden City Community College

7
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Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck State College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bismarck State College is a small school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 352 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BSC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BSC is $9,756 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Bismarck State College

8

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,045 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

DMACC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Des Moines Area Community College is $9,557 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full DMACC Liberal Arts Report

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 218 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

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 more about Liberal Arts at University of Iowa

10
Independence Community College crest
Independence Community College
Independence, Kansas

Independence Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Independence Community College is a public institution located in Independence, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,925 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Independence Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Independence Community College

11
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Century College is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 426 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Century College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,397 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Century College.

Full Century College Liberal Arts Report

12
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Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, Kansas

Johnson County Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Overland Park, Kansas, and it awarded 1,257 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal studies students with aid list, JCCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Johnson County Community College is $13,371 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at JCCC

13

Iowa Central Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa Central Community College is a public institution located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 419 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa Central Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $9,695 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Iowa Central Community College

14

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. 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 estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $8,309 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Liberal Arts Report

15
Iowa Western Community College crest
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Council Bluffs, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 440 students 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 $11,682 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Iowa Western Community College

16
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 1,372 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $7,056 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Saint Louis Community College Liberal Arts Report

17
Coffeyville Community College crest
Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville, Kansas

Coffeyville Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. 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 $6,214 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Coffeyville Community College

18

Fort Hays State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. FHSU is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 356 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region liberal studies students with aid list, FHSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $13,189 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at FHSU

19
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Missouri - St Louis

20

With a ranking of #20, Labette Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Parsons, Kansas, this small public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,515 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Labette Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Labette Community College

21

Barton County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Great Bend, Kansas, and it awarded 314 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Barton Community College is $10,003 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Barton County Community College

22
North Hennepin Community College crest
North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin 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 Getting Aid ranking. North Hennepin Community College is a medium-sized school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 249 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $10,081 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at North Hennepin Community College

23
Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, Iowa

With a ranking of #23, Southeastern Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, this small public school handed out 248 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,005 for Plains States Region Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Southeastern Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southeastern Community College

24

Marshalltown 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, this small public school awarded 142 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $6,675 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Marshalltown Community College

25

St Cloud Technical and Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 326 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College is $9,249 for plains states region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at St Cloud Technical and Community College

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