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Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region

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

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.

The Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. 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 / Sciences & Humanities program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City to be the most popular school for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students who want to pursue a degree in the Plains States Region . Located in the large city of Kansas City, MCC is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at MCC take out is $8,792.

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#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 large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Saint Louis Community College carry an average student debt load of $8,750.

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#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 large public school located in the medium-sized city of Overland Park.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at JCCC take out is $10,000.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Johnson County Community College Report

The excellent programs at Des Moines Area Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools in the Plains States Region . DMACC is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from DMACC carry an average student debt load of $11,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $64.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Des Moines Area Community College Report

#5

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Columbia College is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of around $23,451 in student debt.

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#6

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Cedar Rapids.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Kirkwood Community College accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $59, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Kirkwood Community College

#7

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public college with a moderately-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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Normandale Community College

Moberly Area Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the distant town of Moberly, MACC is a public college with a small student population.

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

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moberly Area Community College Report

Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #9 on the list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus take out $13,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Report

Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. OTC is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Springfield.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ozarks Technical Community College

Metropolitan Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. MCC is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Omaha.

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

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Metropolitan Community College Report

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. 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 / sciences and humanities graduates from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Iowa Community College District Report

#13

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large suburb of Cottleville, SCC is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from SCC carry an average student debt load of $7,071.

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#14

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Council Bluffs.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Iowa Western Community College take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $97, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Iowa Western Community College

#15

Butler Community College

El Dorado, KS

With a ranking of #15, Butler Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler CC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Butler CC take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences and humanities students. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson 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 Hutchinson Community College take out is $8,500.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Hutchinson Community College Report

State Fair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from State Fair Community College carry an average student debt load of $10,575.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at State Fair Community College Report

#18

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

Century College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Century College take out $14,376 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Century College Report

Iowa Central Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities 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.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Iowa Central Community College take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $62.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Iowa Central Community College

#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 & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers College is a public school with a small student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Three Rivers College take out an average of $10,806 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Three Rivers College

Barton County Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Barton Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Great Bend.

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

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Barton County Community College Report

#22

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, KS

Cowley County Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Cowley College is a small public school located in the town of Arkansas City.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Cowley College carry an average student debt load of $8,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cowley County Community College

North Iowa Area Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the remote 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 / sciences and humanities majors at North Iowa Area Community College accumulate an average of around $9,005 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences and humanities students. Located in the town of Hays, FHSU is a public school with a large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from FHSU take out $27,149 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Fort Hays State University Report

#25

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND

With a ranking of #25, Bismarck State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the city of Bismarck, BSC is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at BSC take out is $12,000.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Bismarck State College

#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 & Humanities students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 Allen County Community College Iola, KS
39 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
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 / 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

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

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.

  • 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.

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