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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

93 Ranked Colleges
27,020 Degrees Awarded
$6,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 93 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

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 #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. St Charles Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Cottleville, Missouri. It awarded 525 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,183 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Charles Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at St Charles Community College

Out of the 93 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 548 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $2,963 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full MCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. BSC is a small public school situated in Bismarck, North Dakota. It awarded 405 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 $30-$48k list, BSC has also earned the #7 rank 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 $6,514 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at BSC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, this large public school handed out 1,299 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for DMACC is $8,543 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Des Moines Area Community College

#5

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

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 $30-$48k. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, this small public school awarded 216 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $6,527 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southeastern Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#6

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Louis Community College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,377 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Saint Louis Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,013 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.

Full Saint Louis Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 1,147 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,519 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at MCC

#8

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas

Hutchinson Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hutchinson Community College is a small public school situated in Hutchinson, Kansas. It awarded 572 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,606 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Hutchinson Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Hutchinson Community College

St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 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 $6,970 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full St Cloud Technical and Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#10

Mid-Plains Community College

North Platte, Nebraska

Mid-Plains Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mid-Plains Community College is a small school located in North Platte, Nebraska that handed out 176 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,061 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mid-Plains Community College.

Full Mid-Plains Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

With a ranking of #11, 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 $30-$48k list. North Iowa Area Community College is a small school located in Mason City, Iowa that handed out 405 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,397 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Iowa Area Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at North Iowa Area Community College

#12

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota

Normandale Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomington, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 687 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Normandale Community College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,248 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Normandale Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Normandale Community College

#13

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

Marshalltown Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 152 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,012 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Marshalltown Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Marshalltown Community College

#14

Coffeyville Community College

Coffeyville, Kansas

With a ranking of #14, Coffeyville Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Coffeyville, Kansas, this small public school handed out 228 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Coffeyville Community College is $5,142 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Coffeyville Community College

#15

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 400 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Century College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,441 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Century College

Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Calmar, Iowa, this small public school handed out 139 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,153 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeast Iowa Community College.

Full NICC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#17

Western Nebraska Community College

Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Western Nebraska Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, this small public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,767 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Nebraska Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Western Nebraska Community College

#18

Highland Community College

Highland, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, Highland Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Highland Community College is a small school located in Highland, Kansas that handed out 120 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Highland Community College is $7,478 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Highland Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#19

Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott, Kansas

Fort Scott Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Fort Scott Community College is a public institution located in Fort Scott, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 160 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Scott Community College is $3,898 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at FSCC

#20

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood 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 $30-$48k 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 also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Kirkwood Community College is $8,831 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Kirkwood Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Southeast Community College Area landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school handed out 90 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Community College is $7,573 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southeast Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#22

Crowder College

Neosho, Missouri

Crowder College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Crowder College is located in Neosho, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 294 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,967 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Crowder College.

Full Crowder College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#23

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and it awarded 101 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State College of Science also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State College of Science is $8,010 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at North Dakota State College of Science

#24

Moberly Area Community College

Moberly, Missouri

Moberly Area Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Moberly, Missouri, this small public school handed out 527 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,741 for plains states region associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moberly Area Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Moberly Area Community College

#25

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Hennepin Community College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 292 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

North Hennepin Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,195 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Hennepin Community College.

Full North Hennepin Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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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.

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