2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual has developed its Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in the Plains States Region ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
Our analysis looked at 142 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their bachelor's degree.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your bachelor's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
8,508
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,286
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,792
Average Student Debt
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities tops this year’s ranking as the best school for bachelor’s degrees in the Plains States Region for overall quality. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 8,508 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UMN Twin Cities make an average of $47,286 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,792.
Learn More About University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
2,428
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$59,418
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 142 bachelor’s degree schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 2,428 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from WUSTL is $59,418 during the early years of their career.
Full Washington University in St Louis Report
5,533
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,287
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,817
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #3 in the Plains States Region on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school handed out 5,533 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Iowa is $45,287 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $31,817 in student loans.
Learn More About University of Iowa
6,795
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,615
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,862
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #4 in the Plains States Region on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,795 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State go into careers with an average salary of $49,615 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,862.
Read full report on Iowa State University
5,092
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,679
Average Early-Career Earnings
$41,036
Average Student Debt
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in the Plains States Region list means University of Missouri - Columbia is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school handed out 5,092 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Mizzou make an average of $46,679 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $41,036 after getting their degree.
Learn More About University of Missouri - Columbia
1,722
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,480
Average Early-Career Earnings
$37,174
Average Student Debt
University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 1,722 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UST MN go into careers with an average salary of $49,480 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $37,174 in student loans.
Learn More About University of St Thomas Minnesota
1,445
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,858
Average Early-Career Earnings
$37,284
Average Student Debt
Creighton University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,445 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Creighton is $48,858 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $37,284 in student loans.
Read full report on Creighton University
4,493
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,000
Average Early-Career Earnings
$37,987
Average Student Debt
University of Kansas came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,493 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from KU go into careers with an average salary of $47,000 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $37,987 in student loans.
Learn More About University of Kansas
4,494
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,147
Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,008
Average Student Debt
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,494 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UNL go into careers with an average salary of $46,147 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $28,008.
Read full report on University of Nebraska - Lincoln
1,325
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$67,786
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,382
Average Student Debt
Missouri University of Science and Technology ranked #10 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,325 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Missouri University of Science and Technology make an average of $67,786 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $30,382 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Missouri University of Science and Technology
2,246
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,830
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,244
Average Student Debt
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,246 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UNI make an average of $42,830 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $18,244 after getting their degree.
Full University of Northern Iowa Report
136
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,498
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,650
Average Student Debt
Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 136 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Rasmussen University - Minnesota go into careers with an average salary of $49,498 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $12,650 in student loans.
Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Report
555
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,096
Average Early-Career Earnings
Carleton College landed the #13 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Carleton is located in Northfield, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 555 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Carleton make an average of $45,096 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Carleton College Report
3,938
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,378
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,918
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #14, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, the fairly large public school handed out 3,938 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from K -State is $48,378 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,918 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Kansas State University
1,669
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,044
Average Early-Career Earnings
$44,748
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #15, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1,669 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SLU is $49,044 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $44,748 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Saint Louis University
969
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,848
Average Early-Career Earnings
St Olaf College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. St Olaf College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 969 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf make an average of $40,848 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on St Olaf College
2,117
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$53,241
Average Early-Career Earnings
$8,313
Average Student Debt
Bellevue University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,117 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Bellevue University make an average of $53,241 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $8,313.
Learn More About Bellevue University
558
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,888
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #18, Grinnell College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Grinnell, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 558 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Grinnell make an average of $38,888 a year.
Read full report on Grinnell College
1,483
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,032
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,220
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #19, Winona State University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 1,483 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Winona State make an average of $49,032 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $18,220 after getting their degree.
Full Winona State University Report
813
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,648
Average Early-Career Earnings
Drake University landed the #20 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Drake is located in Des Moines, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 813 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Drake go into careers with an average salary of $49,648 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Drake University
1,904
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,723
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of North Dakota came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 1,904 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UND go into careers with an average salary of $52,723 during the early years of their career.
Full University of North Dakota Report
711
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,517
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #22, Macalester College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 711 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Macalester make an average of $42,517 a year.
Learn More About Macalester College
2,382
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,623
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,204
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #23, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 2,382 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $50,623 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $10,204 in student loans.
Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Report
2,628
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,005
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,597
Average Student Debt
Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #24 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 2,628 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State Mankato go into careers with an average salary of $49,005 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $15,597 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Minnesota State University - Mankato
2,023
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,960
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,675
Average Student Debt
South Dakota State University landed the #25 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,023 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State go into careers with an average salary of $46,960 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $12,675 after getting their degree.
Read full report on South Dakota State University
