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Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

164 Colleges
$24,682 Avg Salary
$12,147 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees and certificates were awarded to liberal arts general studies students, making the major the most popular in the country.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 164 schools in the Plains States Region to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Liberal Arts General Studies program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Colleges.

#1

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, MO

Our analysis found Saint Louis Community College to be the most popular school for liberal arts general studies students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Plains States Region . Saint Louis Community College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.

About 63% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 37% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Saint Louis Community College accumulate an average of around $11,606 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Louis Community College Report

#2

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Johnson County Community College is a great place for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. JCCC is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.

Women make up 60% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

On average, liberal arts graduates from JCCC take out $12,689 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Johnson County Community College Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a great place for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Kansas City, MCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 65% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 35% are male.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at MCC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $11,792.

Read More…

Out of the 164 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. DMACC is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny.

Of the 1,170 students majoring in liberal arts at DMACC, 37% are male and 63% are female.

On average, liberal arts graduates from DMACC take out $14,279 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $64, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Des Moines Area Community College

#5

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, IA

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Kirkwood Community College is a great place for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids.

Women make up 62% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Kirkwood Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $15,374. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $59.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Kirkwood Community College Report

#6

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the small city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

About 63% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 37% are male.

Liberal Arts majors at Normandale Community College take out an average of $16,425 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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Moberly Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the distant town of Moberly, MACC is a public college with a small student population.

About 65% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 35% are male.

Liberal Arts majors at MACC take out an average of $13,718 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Moberly Area Community College Report

Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids.

About 72% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 28% are male.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus take out $16,841 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Report

Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. OTC is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.

Of the 629 students majoring in liberal arts at OTC, 35% are male and 65% are female.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at OTC accumulate an average of around $16,657 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College Report

Metropolitan Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MCC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Omaha.

Of the 567 students majoring in liberal arts at MCC, 33% are male and 67% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at MCC take out an average of $11,848 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Metropolitan Community College

Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 63% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges take out $14,102 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Eastern Iowa Community College District

#12

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the large suburb of Cottleville, SCC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 524 students majoring in liberal arts at SCC, 38% are male and 62% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at SCC take out an average of $9,760 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

#13

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

With a ranking of #13, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 50% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Columbia College Missouri take out $23,597 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia College

#14

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Iowa Western Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Council Bluffs.

Women make up 58% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

Liberal Arts majors at Iowa Western Community College take out an average of $15,727 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $97.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Western Community College

#15

Butler Community College

El Dorado, KS

Butler Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler CC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

About 63% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 37% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Butler CC carry an average student debt load of $16,250.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Butler Community College

#16

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, KS

Hutchinson Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

About 55% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 45% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Hutchinson Community College accumulate an average of around $10,898 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Hutchinson Community College

State Fair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. State Fair Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Sedalia.

About 71% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 29% are male.

On average, liberal arts graduates from State Fair Community College take out $12,892 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

#18

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

Century College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 426 students majoring in liberal arts at Century College, 40% are male and 60% are female.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Century College accumulate an average of around $18,772 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Century College Report

Iowa Central Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Of the 423 students majoring in liberal arts at Iowa Central Community College, 49% are male and 51% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at Iowa Central Community College take out an average of $14,330 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $62.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Central Community College Report

Barton County Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Barton Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Great Bend.

About 65% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 35% are male.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Barton Community College accumulate an average of around $10,932 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Barton County Community College

#21

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, KS

Cowley County Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Cowley College is a small public school located in the town of Arkansas City.

Of the 381 students majoring in liberal arts at Cowley College, 33% are male and 67% are female.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Cowley College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $11,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cowley County Community College

North Iowa Area Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the town of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Women make up 57% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at North Iowa Area Community College accumulate an average of around $10,285 in student debt.

Read More…

#23

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND

Bismarck State College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the small city of Bismarck, BSC is a public school with a small student population.

Women make up 73% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from BSC carry an average student debt load of $13,283.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Bismarck State College Report

St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public college with a small student population.

About 75% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 25% are male.

On average, liberal arts graduates from St Cloud Technical and Community College take out $16,986 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at St Cloud Technical and Community College Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
25 Lake Superior College Duluth, MN
26 Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MN
27 Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City, KS
28 Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN
29 Jefferson College Hillsboro, MO
30 Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MN
31 Mineral Area College Park Hills, MO
32 Crowder College Neosho, MO

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best liberal arts general studies schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Missouri 8,280
Minnesota 6,264
Kansas 6,339
Iowa 5,966
Nebraska 1,612
North Dakota 953
South Dakota 222

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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