2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
19
Ranked Colleges
288
Degrees Awarded
$18,500
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography programs that also have a lower cost than 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
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Geography in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 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. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Park University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
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. It costs about $14,619 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid per year to attend Park University.
Read full report on Geography at Park University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 34 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geography at Mizzou
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwest Missouri State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. 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. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $12,925 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
Full Northwest Missouri State University Geography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.
Read more about Geography at Iowa
University of Northern Iowa ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geography at UNI
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.
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 came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, 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 St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
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 North Dakota came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region geography students with aid 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%.
Read full report on Geography at University of North Dakota
With a ranking of #10, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 16 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $18,578 for plains states region geography students with aid per year to attend South Dakota State.
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 full report on Geography at South Dakota State University
University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNOMAHA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,914 for plains states region geography students with aid.
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 full report on Geography at University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Kansas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 11 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $20,257 for plains states region geography students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geography at KU
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 with aid 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%.
Read more about Geography at UNL
Kansas State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students with aid list, K -State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geography at K -State
University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 4 ’s geography degrees 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. It costs about $15,702 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid 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%.
Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Geography Report
With a ranking of #16, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students with aid list, Missouri State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State is $16,718 for plains states region geography students with aid.
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%.
Full Missouri State University - Springfield Geography Report
Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $24,696 for plains states region geography students with aid.
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 full report on Geography at Gustavus Adolphus
Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Macalester College is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
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 with aid per year to attend Macalester.
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. 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%.
Read full report on Geography at Macalester College
University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 7 ’s geography degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $31,066 for Plains States Region Geography students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full University of St Thomas Minnesota 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.
