2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region
19
Ranked Colleges
288
Degrees Awarded
$22,800
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Geography is the 159th most popular major in the country with 4,954 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Plains States region, there were 288 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in geography. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geography programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
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Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized 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 more than $110k list, UNI has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k.
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 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 UNI
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwest Missouri State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 4 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
Read full report on Geography at Northwest Missouri State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Park University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. 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.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, Park University has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Park University is $14,619 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
Read full report on Geography at Park University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Dakota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 10 ’s geography degrees 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 $16,966 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of North Dakota.
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%.
Full UND Geography Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, Iowa has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Iowa Geography Report
South Dakota State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,578 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend South Dakota State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State Geography Report
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 34 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,559 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geography at Mizzou
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 49 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $17,878 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Geography at UMN Twin Cities
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Geography Report
Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
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 full report on Geography at St. Cloud State University
University of Kansas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 more than $110k list, KU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $20,257 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, 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 86%.
Read full report on Geography at University of Kansas
Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $18,433 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 full report on Geography at Kansas State University
With a ranking of #13, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k 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.
UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
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%.
Full UMKC Geography Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #14 on this year’s Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UNL.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Geography Report
Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #15. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k list, Missouri State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region geography 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%.
Full Missouri State Geography Report
With a ranking of #16, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $13,914 for plains states region geography students whose families make more than $110k.
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%.
Read more about Geography at University of Nebraska at Omaha
Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Gustavus Adolphus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $24,696 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.
Read full report on Geography at Gustavus Adolphus College
University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #18. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UST MN, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $31,066 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of St Thomas Minnesota.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UST MN Geography Report
Macalester College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Macalester is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $27,764 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Macalester.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, 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 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Macalester Geography 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
- *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 Couleur.
