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Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region

118 Schools Ranked
$43,395 Average Earnings
$25,414 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 Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 118 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best programs for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Valley City State University

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

Our 2023 rankings named Valley City State University the best school in the Plains States Region for teaching students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from Valley City State University accumulate an average of $22,578 in student debt by the time they complete 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.

Read full report on Valley City State University

#2

Concordia College at Moorhead

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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Concordia College at Moorhead is a great place for teaching students.

Degree recipients from Concordia College Moorhead accumulate an average of $22,901 in student debt by the time they complete 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

#3

Winona State University

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

Out of the 118 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the # 3 spot on the list.

Degree recipients from Winona State accumulate an average of $26,110 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 $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Winona State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,424 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Winona State University

#4

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
$42,021 Average Earnings

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Northwestern College is a great place for teaching students.

Once they receive their degree, NWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,021 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#5

Drake University

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

The excellent programs at Drake University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in the Plains States Region .

Degree recipients from Drake accumulate an average of $20,572 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 $432 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Drake graduates make an average of $46,927 annually.

Read More…

#6

University of Northern Iowa

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

With a ranking of #6, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from UNI accumulate an average of $22,939 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $172, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,810 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Northern Iowa

#7

University of Jamestown

Jamestown, North Dakota
$49,749 Average Earnings
$25,886 Avg Student Debt

University of Jamestown landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $25,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,749 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Jamestown Report

#8

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
$49,355 Average Earnings
$28,216 Avg Student Debt

Dakota State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $28,216 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Dakota State graduates make an average of $49,355 annually.

Full Dakota State University Report

#9

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
$34,151 Average Earnings
$13,035 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $13,035 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Northeast, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,151 during the early years of their career.

Full Northeast Community College Report

#10

Wartburg College

Waverly, Iowa
$40,976 Average Earnings
$24,201 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Wartburg College did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from Wartburg accumulate an average of $24,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $313, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wartburg, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,976 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#11

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$40,631 Average Earnings
$26,115 Avg Student Debt

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

On average, students take out $26,115 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Augustana Sioux Falls, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,631 during the early years of their career.

Full Augustana University Report

#12

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 teaching students. It came in at #12 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. 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. During the early years of their career, Iowa State graduates make an average of $48,142 annually.

Read full report on Iowa State University

#13

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 teaching students. It came in at #13 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. During the early years of their career, UNL graduates make an average of $44,380 annually.

Read More…

#14

University of St Thomas Minnesota

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

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,455 in student loans. 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.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Report

$46,060 Average Earnings
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $24,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $133.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.

Read full report on Minnesota State University - Mankato

#16

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
$58,756 Average Earnings
$25,325 Avg Student Debt

Creighton University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from Creighton accumulate an average of $25,325 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 $518 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Creighton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,756 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#17

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota
$41,529 Average Earnings
$23,164 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching 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 $23,164 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $202, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMN Duluth, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,529 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Minnesota - Duluth

#18

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
$38,422 Average Earnings
$28,374 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Northern State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from NSU accumulate an average of $28,374 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from NSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,422 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#19

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,445 Average Earnings
$21,399 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from UMN Twin Cities accumulate an average of $21,399 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 $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.

Read full report on University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#20

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
$43,575 Average Earnings
$23,762 Avg Student Debt

Minot State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,762 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, MSU graduates make an average of $43,575 annually.

Read full report on Minot State University

$48,201 Average Earnings
$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. It came in at #21 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,435 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, North Dakota State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,201 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#22

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota
$43,771 Average Earnings
$25,653 Avg Student Debt

Dickinson State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,653 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, DSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,771 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Dickinson State University

#23

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$51,291 Average Earnings
$31,006 Avg Student Debt

Bethel University Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #23 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,006 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $356.After graduating from Bethel University Minnesota, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,291 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Bethel University Minnesota

#24

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,808 Average Earnings
$28,314 Avg Student Debt

University of Mary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #24 on the list.

Degree recipients from UMary accumulate an average of $28,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UMary, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,808 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Mary Report

#25

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
$50,430 Average Earnings
$23,563 Avg Student Debt

University of Iowa landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $23,563 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 $379 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,430 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Iowa

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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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