by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 93 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 24,139 associate degrees in liberal arts / sciences & humanities to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The liberal arts / sciences & humanities associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Any student who is interested in an associate degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities has to take a look at Bismarck State College. BSC is a small public college located in the city of Bismarck.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Bismarck State College
Any student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities has to check out Johnson County Community College. Located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Johnson County Community College
Des Moines Area Community College is a great choice for individuals interested in an associate degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the large suburb of Ankeny, DMACC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Des Moines Area Community College
It is difficult to beat Central Lakes College - Brainerd if you wish to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Central Lakes College - Brainerd
Iowa Central Community College is a small public college located in the town of Fort Dodge.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Iowa Central Community College
Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the city of Columbia.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Columbia College
Normandale Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the small city of Bloomington.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Normandale Community College
Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from St Cloud Technical and Community College
Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Century College
MCC is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Omaha.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Metropolitan Community College
IHCC is a small public college located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Inver Hills Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Located in the city of Kansas City, MCC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City
Located in the rural area of Hesston, Hesston is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Hesston College
SCC is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of Cottleville.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from St Charles Community College
Located in the large suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Iowa Western Community College
LSC is a small public college located in the small city of Duluth.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Lake Superior College
M State is a medium-sized public college located in the rural area of Fergus Falls.More information about a associate in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Minnesota State Community and Technical College
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 29 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN |
| 30 | North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA |
| 31 | North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
Explore the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 37 | 6,170 |
| Kansas | 35 | 5,695 |
| Nebraska | 34 | 1,161 |
| Iowa | 33 | 5,487 |
| South Dakota | 32 | 101 |
| Missouri | 32 | 6,940 |
| North Dakota | 26 | 778 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts General Studies | 24,139 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 332 |
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 87 |
| Communication & Journalism | 73 |
| Social Sciences | 65 |
| English Language & Literature | 47 |
| Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies | 44 |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | 28 |
| History | 12 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 1 |
