2023 Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 226 schools in the Plains States Region to see which online programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
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Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named Capella University the most popular school in the Plains States Region for students working on their degree. Capella University is a large private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 14,837 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Capella University accumulate an average of $36,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Capella University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,758 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Fort Hays State University is a great place for students. Fort Hays State University is a fairly large public school located in Hays, Kansas that handed out 4,297 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,036 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FHSU graduates make an average of $43,454 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,519 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,233 in student loans.After graduating from MCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,267 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,036 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Mizzou accumulate an average of $21,797 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 $398 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mizzou graduates make an average of $46,901 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Bellevue University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,533 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Bellevue University accumulate an average of $29,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bellevue University graduates make an average of $54,053 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Columbia College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Columbia College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 2,912 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of $31,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Columbia College Missouri graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,927 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Park University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2,692 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,858 in student loans.After graduating from Park University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,849 during the early years of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Grantham University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Lenexa, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,952 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Grantham University accumulate an average of $28,781 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Grantham University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,745 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Johnson County Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region list. JCCC is a fairly large public school situated in Overland Park, Kansas. It awarded 2,654 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,311 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, JCCC graduates make an average of $42,711 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of Kansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, the large public school handed out 7,358 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,985 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $365 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from KU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,693 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Central Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Grand Island, Nebraska, and it awarded 2,747 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Central Community College accumulate an average of $10,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Community College graduates make an average of $35,791 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Kansas State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,030 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,965 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $273 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from K -State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,255 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Hennepin Community College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,263 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,533 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, North Hennepin Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,370 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Upper Iowa University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 1,464 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,092 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,288 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,031 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UMSL accumulate an average of $27,595 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 $120 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMSL, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,753 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Normandale Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomington, Minnesota. It awarded 1,379 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,674 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Normandale Community College graduates make an average of $41,929 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Maryville U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,992 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Maryville U accumulate an average of $25,584 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 $452.After graduating from Maryville U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,828 during the early years of their career. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota that handed out 1,126 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,645 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus graduates make an average of $43,464 annually. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, Wichita State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Wichita State University is a fairly large public school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 3,761 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,875 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $142, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WSU graduates make an average of $45,743 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #21, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,363 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,914 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $144 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Southeast Missouri State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,626 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. OTC is located in Springfield, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,336 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,769 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, OTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,979 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,261 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,463 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,028 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, Bemidji State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 1,243 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,667 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bemidji State University graduates make an average of $43,896 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Moberly Area Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Moberly, Missouri, the small public school handed out 880 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,576 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MACC graduates make an average of $38,389 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Online Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top most popular online list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular online schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Highland Community College | Highland, KS |
| 36 | National American University - Rapid City | Rapid City, SD |
| 37 | A T Still University of Health Sciences | Kirksville, MO |
| 38 | University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO |
| 39 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD |
| 40 | St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud, MN |
| 41 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN |
| 42 | Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN |
| 43 | Allen County Community College | Iola, KS |
| 44 | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| 45 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd | Brainerd, MN |
| 46 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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