2023 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region
Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School for You
In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #3 most popular in the country.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 111 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges.
Top 15% Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis found Northwest Iowa Community College to be the best school for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students who want to pursue a degree in the Plains States Region . Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sheldon.
On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Northwest Iowa Community College take out $11,204 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northwest Iowa Community College Report
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region 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 / Sciences & Humanities majors at Columbia College Missouri take out an average of $23,451 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Columbia College
Request Information
Out of the 111 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the # 3 spot on the 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 / sciences and humanities graduates from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus carry an average student debtload of $13,000.
Request Information
Out of the 111 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public school with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at St Cloud Technical and Community College take out is $14,250.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at St Cloud Technical and Community College
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public college with a very large student population.
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Mizzou take out an average of $23,750 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $278.
Request Information
Northland Community and Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community and Technical College is a public school with a small student population.
On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Northland Community and Technical College take out $13,200 in student loans while working on their degree.
Request Information
Johnson County Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. JCCC is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.
While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at JCCC accumulate an average of around $10,000 in student debt.
Request Information
Century College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Century College take out an average of $14,376 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #9 on the list. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Rochester.
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Rochester Community and Technical College take out an average of $15,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Rochester Community and Technical College Report
Request Information
Normandale Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the small city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Normandale Community College take out is $12,620.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Normandale Community College Report
Request Information
University of Kansas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. KU is a very large public school located in the small city of Lawrence.
On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from KU take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $287.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Kansas
Request Information
North Hennepin Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at North Hennepin Community College take out an average of $15,625 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at North Hennepin Community College Report
Request Information
Metropolitan Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. MCC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Omaha.
After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MCC carry an average student debtload of $9,053.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Metropolitan Community College
Request Information
Dakota College at Bottineau ranked #14 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, MSU-Bottineau is a public college with a small student population.
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at MSU-Bottineau take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Dakota College at Bottineau
Request Information
University of Mary landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. UMary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Mary
Request Information
University of Iowa ranked #16 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa is a fairly large public school located in the city of Iowa City.
The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Iowa take out is $25,566. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $279.
Request InformationAdditional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS |
| 18 | Winona State University | Winona, MN |
| 19 | Bismarck State College | Bismarck, ND |
| 20 | William Jewell College | Liberty, MO |
| 21 | Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN |
| 22 | Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City | Kansas City, MO |
Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges by State
Explore the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 6,339 |
| Minnesota | 6,264 |
| Iowa | 5,966 |
| South Dakota | 222 |
| Missouri | 8,280 |
| Nebraska | 1,612 |
| North Dakota | 953 |
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings in the Plains States Region
Rankings in Majors Related to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts General Studies | 556,813 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Visual & Performing Arts | 149,215 |
| English Language & Literature | 54,635 |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | 33,333 |
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 27,459 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 19,993 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.