2023 Most Popular 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 478 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 each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Minnesota - Twin Cities to be the most popular school for students in the Plains States Region . Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 14,640 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,399 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMN Twin Cities, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,445 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Capella University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Plains States Region . Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14,837 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Capella University accumulate an average of $36,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Iowa is a large public school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 9,628 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,563 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $379.After graduating from Iowa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,430 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Missouri - Columbia is a great place for students. This large public school is located in Columbia, Missouri, 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $398, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mizzou, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,901 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Iowa State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large public school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 8,681 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,142 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Kansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. University of Kansas is a large public school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 7,358 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from KU accumulate an average of $23,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $365, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, KU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,693 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large public school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 6,179 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNL accumulate an average of $21,763 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 $298. Once they receive their degree, UNL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,380 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,871 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Missouri State accumulate an average of $25,043 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 $168. During the early years of their career, Missouri State graduates make an average of $40,472 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Kansas State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Kansas State University is a large public school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $273.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.
Washington University in St Louis ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 5,763 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,648 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WUSTL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,341 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Fort Hays State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Fort Hays State University is a fairly large public school located in Hays, Kansas that handed out 4,297 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from FHSU accumulate an average of $28,036 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FHSU graduates make an average of $43,454 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Wichita State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,761 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,875 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $142.After graduating from WSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,743 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Ankeny, Iowa, the large public school awarded 3,727 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $64 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 3,692 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,022 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $184 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMKC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,524 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #16, Webster University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 3,690 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,185 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Webster, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,709 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,616 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $133, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Minnesota State Mankato, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,060 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 3,611 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNOMAHA accumulate an average of $22,890 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 $158. Once they receive their degree, UNOMAHA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,015 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Bellevue University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. 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.After graduating from Bellevue University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,053 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. MCC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,519 degrees 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. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,267 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Louis University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 3,422 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,051 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $511. Once they receive their degree, SLU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,202 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 3,338 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,435 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Dakota State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,201 during the early years of their career. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Dakota landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,325 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,771 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $591 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UND graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,496 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Central Missouri landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This fairly large public school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 3,103 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,019 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $168 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,823 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #25, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 3,066 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,455 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $307 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UST MN graduates make an average of $56,351 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
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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