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Best Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Schools in the Plains States Region

213 Schools Ranked
$43,395 Average Earnings
$25,414 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 213 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, Minnesota
$40,995 Average Earnings

Our analysis found College of Saint Benedict to be the best school for students in the Plains States Region .

After graduating from CSB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,995 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#2

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$61,341 Average Earnings
$18,648 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $18,648 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WUSTL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,341 during the early year of their career.

Full Washington University in St Louis Report

#3

Saint Johns University

Collegeville, Minnesota
$41,681 Average Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Johns University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Schools in the Plains States Region list.

After graduating from SJU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,681 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
$39,881 Average Earnings
$22,578 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Valley City State University is a great place for students.

On average, students take out $22,578 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Valley City State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,881 during the early year of their career.

Full Valley City State University Report

#5

Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota
$37,874 Average Earnings

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carleton College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Once they receive their degree, Carleton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,874 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Carleton College

#6

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$56,351 Average Earnings
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list.

Degree recipients from UST MN accumulate an average of $21,455 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $307.After graduating from UST MN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,351 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of St Thomas Minnesota

#7

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
$43,464 Average Earnings
$23,645 Avg Student Debt

Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus accumulate an average of $23,645 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,464 during the early year of their career.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College Report

#8

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,404 Average Earnings
$16,840 Avg Student Debt

Bismarck State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #8 on the list.

On average, students take out $16,840 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, BSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,404 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
$42,021 Average Earnings

Northwestern College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

After graduating from NWC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,021 during the early years of their career.

Full Northwestern College Report

#10

Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa
$34,615 Average Earnings

Grinnell College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

After graduating from Grinnell, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,615 during the early years of their career.

Full Grinnell College Report

#11

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
$46,927 Average Earnings
$20,572 Avg Student Debt

Drake University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

On average, students take out $20,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $432 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Drake graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,927 during the early year of their career.

Full Drake University Report

#12

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
$46,901 Average Earnings
$21,797 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $21,797 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $398.After graduating from Mizzou, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,901 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Report

#13

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
$80,285 Average Earnings
$31,631 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Mount Marty University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,631 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Mount Marty graduates make an average of $80,285 annually.

Full Mount Marty University Report

#14

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$37,812 Average Earnings
$19,654 Avg Student Debt

Macalester College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $19,654 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Macalester graduates make an average of $37,812 annually.

Read full report on Macalester College

#15

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
$54,053 Average Earnings
$29,741 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Bellevue University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Bellevue University accumulate an average of $29,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bellevue University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,053 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Bellevue University

#16

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
$38,133 Average Earnings
$24,571 Avg Student Debt

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,571 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gustavus Adolphus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,133 during the early year of their career.

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#17

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
$48,142 Average Earnings
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

Iowa State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $257. During the early years of their career, Iowa State graduates make an average of $48,142 annually.

Read full report on Iowa State University

#18

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
$44,380 Average Earnings
$21,763 Avg Student Debt

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list.

Degree recipients from UNL accumulate an average of $21,763 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $298 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,380 during the early year of their career.

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#19

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
$34,897 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #19, St Olaf College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

During the early years of their career, St. Olaf graduates make an average of $34,897 annually.

Full St Olaf College Report

#20

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
$42,370 Average Earnings
$24,533 Avg Student Debt

North Hennepin Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

On average, students take out $24,533 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, North Hennepin Community College graduates make an average of $42,370 annually.

Read full report on North Hennepin Community College

#21

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
$40,810 Average Earnings
$22,939 Avg Student Debt

University of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from UNI accumulate an average of $22,939 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,810 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Northern Iowa

$63,979 Average Earnings
$24,872 Avg Student Debt

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

On average, students take out $24,872 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $336, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates make an average of $63,979 annually.

Read full report on Missouri University of Science and Technology

#23

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
$44,424 Average Earnings
$26,110 Avg Student Debt

Winona State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Schools in the Plains States Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,110 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Winona State graduates make an average of $44,424 annually.

Full Winona State University Report

#24

Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,418 Average Earnings
$22,832 Avg Student Debt

Dunwoody College of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #24 on the list.

On average, students take out $22,832 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Dunwoody College of Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,418 during the early years of their career.

Full Dunwoody College of Technology Report

#25

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
$34,477 Average Earnings
$22,901 Avg Student Debt

Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $22,901 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Concordia College Moorhead graduates make an average of $34,477 annually.

Read full report on Concordia College at Moorhead

Rest of the Top 15% Best Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
#27

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#28

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
#29

Simpson College

Indianola, Iowa
#30

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#31

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#32

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota

View Best Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best schools ranking:

Rank School Location
33 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
34 Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MO
35 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
36 Wartburg College Waverly, IA
37 Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon, IA
38 Luther College Decorah, IA
39 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
40 Southwestern College Winfield, KS
41 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND
42 Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MN
43 University of Minnesota - Crookston Crookston, MN

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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