2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
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 Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 31,703 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,800 and $15,275 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 27,020 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 94 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies 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 general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
Featured schools near , edit
One Size Does Not Fit All
The liberal arts 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 Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 94 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, St Charles Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Cottleville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 525 students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for SCC is $1,623 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Out of the 94 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 548 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $2,894 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Metropolitan Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Louis Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis Community College is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,377 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Saint Louis Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $5,930 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Louis Community College
Out of the 94 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bismarck State College landed the #4 spot on the list. Bismarck State College is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 405 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
BSC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bismarck State College is $6,205 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Bismarck State College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeastern Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 216 students in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $4,925 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Southeastern Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 1,147 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
MCC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,298 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school handed out 1,299 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
DMACC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Des Moines Area Community College is $7,776 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hutchinson Community College is a small school located in Hutchinson, Kansas that handed out 572 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Hutchinson Community College is $6,159 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Hutchinson Community College
With a ranking of #9, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 314 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
St Cloud Technical and Community College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Cloud Technical and Community College is $7,142 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at St Cloud Technical and Community College
Mid-Plains Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Mid-Plains Community College is located in North Platte, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 176 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Mid-Plains Community College is $4,795 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Mid-Plains Community College
Kirkwood Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 730 students in 2019-2020.
Kirkwood Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kirkwood Community College is $8,067 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kirkwood Community College
With a ranking of #12, Marshalltown Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 152 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,073 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marshalltown Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshalltown Community College
With a ranking of #13, North Iowa Area Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution located in Mason City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 405 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $6,551 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at North Iowa Area Community College
With a ranking of #14, Normandale Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and it awarded 687 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Normandale Community College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $10,860 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Normandale Community College
With a ranking of #15, Southeast Community College Area did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeast Community College is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 90 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College Area is $6,946 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeast Community College
Fort Scott Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Fort Scott, Kansas, and it awarded 160 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Fort Scott Community College is $3,615 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Cowley County Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Arkansas City, Kansas, this small public school handed out 320 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Cowley County Community College is $6,901 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cowley College
Western Nebraska Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Nebraska Community College is a public institution located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $4,428 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WNCC.
Full Western Nebraska Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
North Dakota State College of Science came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State College of Science is a small public school situated in Wahpeton, North Dakota. It awarded 101 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, North Dakota State College of Science has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,720 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State College of Science.
Full North Dakota State College of Science Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Moberly Area Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Moberly Area Community College is located in Moberly, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 527 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend MACC is $6,239 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Moberly Area Community College
Coffeyville Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school situated in Coffeyville, Kansas. It awarded 228 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $4,395 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Coffeyville Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Coffeyville Community College
Crowder College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Neosho, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 294 students in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Crowder College is $4,145 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Crowder College
Century College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Century College is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 400 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Century College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,460 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Century College
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 749 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Ozarks Technical Community College is $6,090 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College
With a ranking of #25, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Hennepin Community College is a medium-sized school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 292 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
North Hennepin Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,674 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Hennepin Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at North Hennepin Community College
Narrow Results by Region
Southeast
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
Rocky Mountains
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Middle Atlantic
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
Southwest
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region
New England
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the New England Region
Plains States
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Far Western US
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
Great Lakes
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Narrow Results by State
Kansas
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Kansas
Iowa
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa
North Dakota
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in North Dakota
Nebraska
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Nebraska
Minnesota
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Minnesota
South Dakota
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota
Missouri
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Missouri
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Plains States Region
Most Focused Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Plains States Region
Most Popular Associate Degree Online Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Plains States Region
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students with family income less than $30k in the Plains States Region
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students with family income $48-$75k in the Plains States Region
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students with family income exceeding $110k in the Plains States Region
Highest Paid Associate Degree Liberal Arts General Studies Graduates in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Plains States Region
Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Plains States Region
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
Liberal Arts General Studies students getting aid in the Plains States Region
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students with family income $30-$48k in the Plains States Region
Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region
Liberal Arts General Studies students with family income $75-$110k in the Plains States Region
Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Featured Liberal Arts Schools
Request Info |
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |