2021 Best Affordable Colleges for International Students in the Plains States Region
127
Colleges
$19,483
Avg Tuition & Fees*
38%
Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*
When it comes to choosing a college, international students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Value Colleges for International Students in the Plains States Region ranking is part of that endeavor.
Our analysis looked at 127 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for international students in the Plains States Region. Instead of depending on subjective information, we focus on objective factors to determine this ranking. These factors include such things as the total number of international students at the school and the school's overall value.
Find out more about our ranking methodology.
Customizing Your List
Since one ranking on its own is not enough to give you a complete understanding of your educational options, you can refine this list by location. We've also developed a number of other tools and rankings based on other factors. These other rankings highlight colleges that excel in other factors such as quality or diversity as well as schools that excel in serving different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.
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. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Top Value Colleges in the Plains States Region for International Students
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named North Dakota State University - Main Campus the best affordable school for international students in the Plains States Region working on their bachelor’s degree. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 2,568 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 4.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at North Dakota State University are India, China, and Bangladesh. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at North Dakota State University runs, on average, about $14,876. Graduate students pay around $12,028 a year in average tuition and fees.
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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Iowa State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for international students in the Plains States Region. Located in Ames, Iowa, the large public school handed out 6,998 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 8.1% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Iowa State are China, India, and Malaysia. International students at Iowa State can expect to pay, on average, about $25,446 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $26,948 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #3 in this year’s ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 1,977 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.3% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at South Dakota State are India, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at South Dakota State runs, on average, about $12,809. Graduate students pay around $16,917 a year in average tuition and fees.
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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Minnesota - Morris helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for international students in the Plains States Region. UMN Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 304 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 4.5% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at UMN Morris come from such countries as China, India, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UMN Morris runs, on average, about $15,940.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #5 in this year’s ranking. Truman State is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 1,154 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 6.2% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Truman State are China, Nepal, and Vietnam. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Truman State runs, on average, about $16,410. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $9,924 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full Truman State University Report
University of North Dakota came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 2,097 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UND are China, Canada, and Japan. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UND runs, on average, about $15,037. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,968 per year.
Full University of North Dakota Report
Winona State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,622 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 1.9% are international. Students studying at Winona State come from such countries as China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Winona State runs, on average, about $16,684. Graduate students pay around $12,836 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Winona State University Report
With a ranking of #8, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. This medium-sized public school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 2,555 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.5% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at UNI are Saudi Arabia, China, and Mexico. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UNI runs, on average, about $19,753. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $21,201 per year.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on University of Northern Iowa
University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 2,288 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 1.8% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at UMN Duluth are China, India, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UMN Duluth is about $19,148 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $29,060 per year.
Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Report
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region list. SD Mines is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 360 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 5.8% are international. Students studying at SD Mines come from such countries as India, China, and Nepal. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at SD Mines runs, on average, about $16,530. Graduate students pay around $20,116 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large public school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 4,727 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 8.4% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UNL are China, Malaysia, and India. International students at UNL can expect to pay, on average, about $26,720 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $19,541 per year.
Read full report on University of Nebraska - Lincoln
With a ranking of #12, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized public school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 1,333 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 2.3% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at USD are China, India, and Nepal. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at USD runs, on average, about $12,942. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $12,768 per year.
Read full report on University of South Dakota
University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #13 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. UNK is a public institution located in Kearney, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 921 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 4.1% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at UNK come from such countries as Japan, China, and Oman. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UNK runs, on average, about $15,320. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,982 per year.
Read full report on University of Nebraska at Kearney
Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #14 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. This fairly large public school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 2,524 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 7.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Minnesota State Mankato are Nepal, India, and Saudi Arabia. International students at Minnesota State Mankato can expect to pay, on average, about $18,200 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $9,308 per year.
Read full report on Minnesota State University - Mankato
Martin Luther College did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. MLC is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Ulm, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 173 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 2.4% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at MLC are South Korea, China, and Antigua and Barbuda. International students at MLC can expect to pay, on average, about $16,910 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $5,400 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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Kansas State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 3,967 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.6% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at K -State come from such countries as China, Saudi Arabia, and India. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at K -State is about $26,491 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $23,949 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full Kansas State University Report
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,200 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the total number of students at the school, 4.0% are international. Students studying at Northwest come from such countries as India, Nepal, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Northwest runs, on average, about $14,919. Graduate students pay around $7,064 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full Northwest Missouri State University Report
Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,641 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Around 2.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, Saudi Arabia, and India come to Missouri State to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Missouri State is about $16,498 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $12,618 a year in average tuition and fees.
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University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 9,414 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 10.0% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at UMN Twin Cities are China, India, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UMN Twin Cities is about $33,818 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $29,262 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,725 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 6.2% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UCM are India, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal. International students at UCM can expect to pay, on average, about $16,815 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $16,992 a year in average tuition and fees.
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University of Kansas landed the #21 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, the large public school awarded 4,600 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 6.6% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at KU are China, India, and Saudi Arabia. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at KU runs, on average, about $28,034. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $25,007 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on University of Kansas
Saint Cloud State University landed the #22 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,859 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 8.8% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at St. Cloud State University are Nepal, India, and China. International students at St. Cloud State University can expect to pay, on average, about $18,010 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $13,412 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on Saint Cloud State University
University of Iowa came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,998 students in 2020-2021.
Around 5.9% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Iowa come from such countries as China, South Korea, and India. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Iowa is about $31,905 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $31,012 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full University of Iowa Report
With a ranking of #24, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,064 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.4% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at MSU Moorhead are Nepal, Nigeria, and Japan. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at MSU Moorhead is about $17,564 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $11,052 per year.
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University of Mary came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in the Plains States Region ranking. Bismarck, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 602 students in 2020-2021.
Around 0.1% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at UMary are Canada, United Kingdom, and Nepal. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UMary is about $20,290 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $13,304 per year.
Read full report on University of Mary
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