2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 252 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Saint Louis Community College the most popular school in the Plains States Region for students working on their associate degree. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 2,102 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,295 in tuition and fees if they attend Saint Louis Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,155. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,964 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saint Louis Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,029 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from DMACC accumulate an average of $16,614 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DMACC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Plains States Region . Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 1,868 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $16,587 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
MCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Johnson County Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, the fairly large public school awarded 1,705 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $2,688 in tuition and fees if they attend JCCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,352. On average, associate degree students take out $15,979 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that JCCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Kirkwood Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Kirkwood Community College is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,654 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $5,308 in tuition and fees if they attend Kirkwood Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,072. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,972 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Kirkwood Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Ozarks Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 1,607 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Missouri who attend OTC full time pay an average of $4,924 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,028. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,198 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that OTC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Metropolitan Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MCC is located in Omaha, Nebraska and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,427 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Nebraska who attend MCC full time pay an average of $3,195 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,680. On average, associate degree students take out $13,886 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Normandale Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bloomington, Minnesota that handed out 1,208 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,789 to cover tuition and fees at Normandale Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Normandale Community College accumulate an average of $20,674 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Normandale Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small private for-profit school is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,179 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota, expect to pay an average of $13,558 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Minnesota accumulate an average of $27,551 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Century College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Century College is a medium-sized public school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 1,145 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Century College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,907. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,559 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Online courses are available at Century College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Butler Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Butler CC is a public institution located in El Dorado, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,088 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Butler CC is $4,176. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,976. Associate Degree recipients from Butler CC accumulate an average of $19,517 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Online courses are available at Butler CC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,071 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $5,515. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $23,645 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,052 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Nebraska pay an average of $3,192 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southeast Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,780. Associate Degree recipients from Southeast Community College accumulate an average of $17,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southeast Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, St Charles Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. SCC is a public institution located in Cottleville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 847 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SCC is $5,190. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,900. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,948 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that SCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #15, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 839 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $29,271 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Columbia College Missouri. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Davenport, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 846 students in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $20,417 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Moberly Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Moberly, Missouri, the small public school awarded 807 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $6,150 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MACC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,860. Associate Degree recipients from MACC accumulate an average of $15,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MACC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 797 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,906. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,611 in student loans. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. In 2019-2020 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bismarck State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. BSC is a public institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 792 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from North Dakota who attend BSC full time pay an average of $4,926 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,930. Associate Degree recipients from BSC accumulate an average of $17,120 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BSC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Hutchinson Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Hutchinson, Kansas, and it awarded 784 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $3,540 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Hutchinson Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,470. Associate Degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College accumulate an average of $19,221 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hutchinson Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #21, Iowa Central Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and it awarded 777 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees if they attend Iowa Central Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,650. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,832 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Iowa Central Community College. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. M State is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 766 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,862 to cover tuition and fees at M State. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $20,514 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Online courses are available at M State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 765 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Iowa who attend Iowa Western Community College full time pay an average of $6,330 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,480. Associate Degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College accumulate an average of $21,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Iowa Western Community College. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 743 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College, expect to pay an average of $5,874 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,104 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
St Cloud Technical and Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #25, Northeast Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Northeast is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 755 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northeast is $3,750. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,010. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,887 in student loans. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeast does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 38 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 schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Lake Area Technical Institute | Watertown, SD |
| 40 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN |
| 41 | Grantham University | Lenexa, KS |
| 42 | Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA |
| 43 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd | Brainerd, MN |
| 44 | Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 45 | Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN |
| 46 | Mineral Area College | Park Hills, MO |
| 47 | Three Rivers College | Poplar Bluff, MO |
| 48 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS |
| 49 | Cowley County Community College | Arkansas City, KS |
| 50 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND |
| 51 | Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar, 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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