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

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

239 Colleges
$28,497 Avg Salary
$16,369 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies 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 Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 239 schools in the Plains States Region to see which 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 colleges and universities below are the most popular for liberal arts majors pursuing a .

Our 2023 rankings named Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City the most popular school in the Plains States Region for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the city of Kansas City, MCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from MCC take out $8,792 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

#2

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, MO

Out of the 239 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Louis Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Saint Louis Community College accumulate an average of around $8,750 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Louis Community College Report

#3

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, KS

Out of the 239 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Johnson County Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. JCCC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Overland Park.

On average, liberal arts graduates from JCCC take out $10,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. DMACC is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny.

On average, liberal arts graduates from DMACC take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $64, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#5

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

Out of the 239 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Columbia College Missouri take out an average of $23,451 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia College Report

#6

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, IA

With a ranking of #6, Kirkwood Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Cedar Rapids.

Liberal Arts majors at Kirkwood Community College take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $59.

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

#7

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Normandale Community College accumulate an average of around $12,620 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Normandale Community College Report

Moberly Area Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the town of Moberly, MACC is a public school with a small student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from MACC take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

Anoka-Ramsey Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus carry an average student debt load of $13,000.

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

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts general studies programs. OTC is a large public school located in the midsize city of Springfield.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at OTC take out is $12,792.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College Report

With a ranking of #11, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. MCC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Omaha.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at MCC take out is $9,053.

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

Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

#13

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, MO

With a ranking of #13, St Charles Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the large suburb of Cottleville, SCC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Liberal Arts majors at SCC take out an average of $7,071 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#14

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, IA

With a ranking of #14, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Council Bluffs.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Iowa Western Community College accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $97.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Iowa Western Community College Report

#15

Butler Community College

El Dorado, KS

Butler Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler CC is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Butler CC accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Butler Community College Report

#16

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, KS

With a ranking of #16, Hutchinson Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Hutchinson Community College take out an average of $8,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at State Fair Community College take out is $10,575.

Read More…

#18

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Century College accumulate an average of around $14,376 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Century College

Iowa Central Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Iowa Central Community College accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $62.

Read More…

#20

Three Rivers College

Poplar Bluff, MO

Three Rivers College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the remote town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers College is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Three Rivers College take out is $10,806.

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Barton County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #21 on the list. Barton Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Great Bend.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at Barton Community College accumulate an average of around $9,000 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Barton County Community College Report

#22

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, KS

Cowley County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #22 on the list. Cowley College is a small public school located in the distant town of Arkansas City.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Cowley College take out $8,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

North Iowa Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the town of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a public college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts majors at North Iowa Area Community College accumulate an average of around $9,005 in student debt.

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

With a ranking of #24, Fort Hays State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the town of Hays, FHSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from FHSU carry an average student debt load of $27,149.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Fort Hays State University Report

#25

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND

Bismarck State College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the small city of Bismarck, BSC is a public college with a small student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from BSC take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#28

Lake Superior College

Duluth, MN
#31

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN
#32

Jefferson College

Hillsboro, MO
#34

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, MO
#35

Crowder College

Neosho, MO

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 Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
36 Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
37 Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN
38 East Central College Union, MO
39 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
39 Allen County Community College Iola, KS
41 North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN
42 Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA
43 Ridgewater College Willmar, MN
44 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
45 Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA
46 Garden City Community College Garden City, KS
47 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best liberal arts general studies colleges 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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