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Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

23 Schools Ranked
$18,316 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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. 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, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 23 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best value basic certificate programs for teaching students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota
1 Total Awards
$8,163 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Minot State University to be the best value school for teaching students who want to pursue a basic certificate in the Plains States Region . MSU is located in Minot, North Dakota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MSU are $8,163 a year.

Online courses are available at MSU, 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, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Minot State University

#2

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
69 Total Awards
$12,969 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Valley City State University is a great place for teaching students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Valley City State University is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Valley City State University are $12,969 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Valley City State University. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Valley City State University also made our Best Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #1.

Full Valley City State University Report

#3

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
23 Total Awards
$9,806 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Bemidji State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in the Plains States Region . Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bemidji State University are $9,806 a year.

Bemidji State University 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Bemidji State University

4 Total Awards
$5,874 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 23 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 4 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College

1 Total Awards
$9,482 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Southwest Minnesota State University is a great place for teaching students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Minnesota State University are $9,482 a year.

Southwest Minnesota State University 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 20% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Report

#6

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
4 Total Awards
$11,947 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Northern State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their basic certificate. NSU is a small public school situated in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It awarded 4 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

NSU undergraduate students pay an average of $11,947 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NSU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Northern State University Report

#7

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
54 Total Awards
$13,558 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit institution located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Minnesota are $13,558 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Report

#8

Rasmussen University - North Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota
8 Total Awards
$11,847 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - North Dakota came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is located in Fargo, North Dakota and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 basic certificates to qualified students.

Rasmussen University - North Dakota undergraduate students pay an average of $11,847 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - North Dakota does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

4 Total Awards
$13,639 Average Tuition & Fees

Rasmussen University - Kansas ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rasmussen University - Kansas is located in Topeka, Kansas and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Kansas are $13,639 a year.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Rasmussen University - Kansas. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Rasmussen University - Kansas Report

#10

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
2 Total Awards
$18,010 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 2 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at St. Cloud State University. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our Best Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #3.

Full Saint Cloud State University Report

#11

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
5 Total Awards
$15,037 Average Tuition & Fees

University of North Dakota came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 5 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

UND undergraduate students pay an average of $15,037 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UND. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#12

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota
10 Total Awards
$19,148 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate teaching programs. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UMN Duluth are $19,148 a year.

Online courses are available at UMN Duluth, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UMN Duluth is ranked #2 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Report

24 Total Awards
$18,200 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate teaching programs. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the fairly large public school handed out 24 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $18,200 per year.

Minnesota State Mankato 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 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Minnesota State University - Mankato

1 Total Awards
$17,564 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their basic certificate. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead undergraduate students pay an average of $17,564 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MSU Moorhead. During the 2019-2020 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#15

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
3 Total Awards
$18,165 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Wichita State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their basic certificate. This fairly large public school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 3 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSU are $18,165 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#16

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
26 Total Awards
$26,491 Average Tuition & Fees

Kansas State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Kansas State University is a large public school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 26 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at K -State are $26,491 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at K -State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

K -State not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Read full report on Kansas State University

#17

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
42 Total Awards
$16,815 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Central Missouri landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate teaching programs. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 42 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UCM are $16,815 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UCM does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Central Missouri

#18

Missouri State University - Springfield

Springfield, Missouri
5 Total Awards
$16,498 Average Tuition & Fees

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate teaching programs. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Missouri State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,498 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Missouri State does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#19

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
5 Total Awards
$15,285 Average Tuition & Fees

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Missouri State University are $15,285 per year.

Online courses are available at Southeast Missouri State University, 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 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Report

#20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
87 Total Awards
$33,818 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 87 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMN Twin Cities are $33,818 per year.

Online courses are available at UMN Twin Cities, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#21

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
11 Total Awards
$35,532 Average Tuition & Fees

St Catherine University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St. Kate’s are $35,532 per year.

St. Kate’s 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#22

North Central University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
1 Total Awards
$27,200 Average Tuition & Fees

North Central University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Basic Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central University are $27,200 per year.

One thing to take note of is that North Central University does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full North Central University Report

#23

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
10 Total Awards
$46,221 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, Hamline University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their basic certificate. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out basic certificates to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hamline are $46,221 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hamline does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Hamline University Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 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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