2023 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region
14
Ranked Colleges
530
Degrees Awarded
$26,200
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 9,899 people earned their degree in environmental studies, making the major the 87th most popular in the United States.
Across the Plains States region, there were 530 environmental studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in environmental studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent environmental studies programs, but they also 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 environmental studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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.
1949121462201102251623970276582416119860182672874730859309283538343202
Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Iowa State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Iowa State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 35 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UNL.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of Nebraska - Lincoln
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 9 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 more about Environmental Studies at South Dakota State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.
Iowa also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Iowa Environmental Studies Report
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Duluth Environmental Studies Report
Webster University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Webster also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Webster is $23,248 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Webster University
University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.
KU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at University of Kansas
With a ranking of #8, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This small school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 21 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k list, Bemidji State University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $16,033 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 more about Environmental Studies at Bemidji State University
With a ranking of #9, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UMN Morris is a small school located in Morris, Minnesota that handed out 12 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Morris did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $10,529 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at University of Minnesota - Morris
Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #10. Decorah, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
Luther also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $25,538 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Luther College.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Luther College
With a ranking of #11, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 17 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $24,696 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Environmental Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Johns University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Collegeville, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k list, SJU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SJU is $25,487 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at Saint Johns University
St Olaf College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Olaf College is $24,052 for Plains States Region Ecosystem Studies students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Environmental Studies at St Olaf College
With a ranking of #14, Macalester College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Ecosystem Studies Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Macalester is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $27,764 for plains states region ecosystem studies students whose families make more than $110k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Macalester College Environmental Studies Report
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
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
- *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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Lynn Betts.
(NRCS_Photo_Gallery).jpg){kind=link}