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Best Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

110 Schools Ranked
$21,006 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$29,622 Avg Student Debt

Today's teaching students have 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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 110 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs for teaching students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
$33,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Northwestern College to be the best school for teaching students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Plains States Region .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,590 to cover tuition and fees at NWC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

NWC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#2

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
$8,195 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,070 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Valley City State University is a great place for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $8,195 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Valley City State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,969. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Valley City State University accumulate an average of $23,070 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Valley City State University does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Valley City State University Report

#3

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
$10,184 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,110 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 110 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the # 3 spot on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Winona State is $10,184. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,684. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Winona State accumulate an average of $26,110 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Winona State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Winona State University

#4

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means St Olaf College is a great place for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

St. Olaf does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#5

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
$28,016 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,901 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Concordia College at Moorhead helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in the Plains States Region .

The average tuition and fees at Concordia College Moorhead is $28,016. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Concordia College Moorhead accumulate an average of $22,901 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Concordia College Moorhead 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 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Concordia College at Moorhead Report

#6

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
$50,490 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,571 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

The average tuition and fees at Gustavus Adolphus is $50,490. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus accumulate an average of $24,571 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Report

#7

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
$45,912 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,572 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Drake University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Drake does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $45,912. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,572 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Drake. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Drake University

#8

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
$9,053 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,939 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $9,053 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UNI. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,753. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,939 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UNI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Northern Iowa

#9

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
$9,590 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,252 Avg Student Debt

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list.

Students from Nebraska who attend UNL full time pay an average of $9,590 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $26,720. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,252 in student loans.

UNL does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Nebraska - Lincoln

#10

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$15,254 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,575 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list.

Students from Minnesota who attend UMN Twin Cities full time pay an average of $15,254 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $33,818. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,575 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMN Twin Cities. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#11

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
$9,633 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,863 Avg Student Debt

Dakota State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree teaching programs.

In-state students pay an average of $9,633 in tuition and fees if they attend Dakota State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,735. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Dakota State accumulate an average of $28,863 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Dakota State 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Dakota State University

#12

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
$9,634 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Iowa State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $9,634 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Iowa State. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,446. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans.

Iowa State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#13

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$35,914 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,115 Avg Student Debt

Augustana University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree teaching programs.

Augustana Sioux Falls does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $35,914. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,115 in student loans.

Read More…

#14

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$48,329 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

UST MN does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $48,329. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,455 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UST MN. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#15

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
$47,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,201 Avg Student Debt

Wartburg College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Wartburg does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $47,500. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Wartburg accumulate an average of $24,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Wartburg does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Wartburg College Report

#16

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
$10,420 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,965 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Kansas State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

In-state students pay an average of $10,420 in tuition and fees if they attend K -State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $26,491. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from K -State accumulate an average of $23,965 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

K -State 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Kansas State University Report

#17

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota
$13,850 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,055 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $13,850 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UMN Duluth. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,148. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,055 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that UMN Duluth does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

$10,401 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,435 Avg Student Debt

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list.

Students from North Dakota who attend North Dakota State University full time pay an average of $10,401 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,876. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,435 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Dakota State University does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Report

#19

University of Jamestown

Jamestown, North Dakota
$23,498 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,886 Avg Student Debt

University of Jamestown ranked #19 on this year’s Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.

If you want to attend UJ, expect to pay an average of $23,498 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that UJ does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 17% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#20

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
$8,845 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,374 Avg Student Debt

Northern State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NSU is $8,845. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,947. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,374 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NSU. In 2019-2020 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Northern State University Report

#21

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
$9,942 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,618 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, University of Iowa did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

In-state students pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees if they attend Iowa full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $31,905. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,618 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Iowa does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Iowa Report

$9,146 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $9,146 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Minnesota State Mankato. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,200. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans.

Minnesota State Mankato does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Report

#23

Chadron State College

Chadron, Nebraska
$7,178 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,709 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Chadron State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Students from Nebraska who attend Chadron State College full time pay an average of $7,178 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,206. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,709 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Chadron State College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#24

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$40,080 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,006 Avg Student Debt

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

If you want to attend Bethel University Minnesota, expect to pay an average of $40,080 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota accumulate an average of $31,006 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bethel University Minnesota. In 2019-2020 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Report

#25

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, Minnesota
$9,482 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,598 Avg Student Debt

Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list.

If you want to attend Southwest Minnesota State University, expect to pay an average of $9,482 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University accumulate an average of $25,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southwest Minnesota State University does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 20% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Southwest Minnesota State University

View Best Bachelor’s Degree Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

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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