by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 84 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 21,604 associate degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The liberal studies associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for liberal arts students working on their associate degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Bismarck State College is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the small city of Bismarck, BSC is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Bismarck State College
It is hard to beat Johnson County Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts. JCCC is a fairly large public college located in the city of Overland Park.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Johnson County Community College
It's difficult to beat Des Moines Area Community College if you want to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts. DMACC is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Ankeny.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Des Moines Area Community College
Central Lakes College - Brainerd is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in liberal arts. Central Lakes College is a small public college located in the remote town of Brainerd.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Central Lakes College - Brainerd
Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Iowa Central Community College
Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Columbia College
Located in the small city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Normandale Community College
St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public college located in the small city of Saint Cloud.More information about a associate in liberal arts from St Cloud Technical and Community College
Century College is a moderately-sized public college located in the suburb of White Bear Lake.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Century College
Located in the large city of Omaha, MCC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Metropolitan Community College
Located in the large suburb of Inver Grove Heights, IHCC is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Inver Hills Community College
Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Anoka-Ramsey Community College
MCC is a large public college located in the large city of Kansas City.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City
Hesston is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Hesston.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Hesston College
Located in the suburb of Cottleville, SCC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from St Charles Community College
Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the suburb of Council Bluffs.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Iowa Western Community College
Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Lake Superior College | Duluth, MN |
| 18 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls, MN |
| 19 | Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA |
| 20 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN |
| 21 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN |
| 22 | Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls, MN |
| 23 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
| 24 | Dakota College at Bottineau | Bottineau, ND |
| 25 | Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA |
| 26 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| 27 | Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS |
| 28 | Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN |
Explore the best liberal arts schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 299 | 6,114 |
| Kansas | 275 | 5,399 |
| Missouri | 210 | 5,172 |
| Iowa | 200 | 5,268 |
| Nebraska | 163 | 932 |
| South Dakota | 148 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 144 | 764 |
One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, Liberal Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Studies | 1,832 |
| Individualized Studies | 702 |
| Humanities | 1 |
