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2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

19 Ranked Colleges
288 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 4,954 people earned their degree in geography, making the major the 159th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 288 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in geography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

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

More Ways to Rank Geography Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,911 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geography at UMN Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $13,715 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Mizzou.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Geography at Mizzou

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Missouri State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 4 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,127 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest.

Read more about Geography at Northwest

4
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $15,287 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at University of Northern Iowa

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,026 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geography at University of Iowa

6
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $13,140 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Geography at St. Cloud State University

7
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Park University, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Park University is $14,769 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Geography at Park University

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,818 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Dakota Geography Report

9

With a ranking of #9, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,995 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography at Minnesota State University - Mankato

10
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Gustavus Adolphus is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Geography at Gustavus Adolphus College

11
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #11, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 11 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, KU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,586 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend KU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 full report on Geography at KU

12
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

With a ranking of #12, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,868 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend K -State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full K -State Geography Report

13

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $15,394 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UNL Geography Report

14

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,574 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Geography Report

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMKC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMKC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at UMKC

16
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,826 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

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%.

Full South Dakota State University Geography Report

17
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Macalester also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester College is $15,953 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at Macalester College

18

With a ranking of #18, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $15,950 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at Missouri State University - Springfield

19
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #19, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of St Thomas Minnesota is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UST MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UST MN is $28,771 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at UST MN

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