2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Best Value 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 value 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.
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Top Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Northeast Community College the best value school in the Plains States Region for teaching students working on their degree. Northeast is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 66 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northeast are $5,010 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,035 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northeast graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,151 during the early year of their career.
Northeast also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Jamestown is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Jamestown, North Dakota, and it awarded 44 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UJ are $23,498 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,886 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UJ graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,749 during the early year of their career.
UJ also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Out of the 118 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Orange City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 182 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NWC are $33,590 a year. After graduating from NWC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,021 during the early years of their career.
NWC also made our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #4.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. CMU CGES is located in Fayette, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 217 degrees to qualified students.
CMU CGES undergraduate students pay an average of $6,720 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,044 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CMU CGES graduates make an average of $39,784 annually.
Full Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Report
The excellent programs at Chadron State College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in the Plains States Region . Chadron, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Chadron State College are $7,206 a year. On average, students take out $22,709 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Chadron State College graduates make an average of $44,696 annually.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Minot State University is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. MSU is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 132 degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,163 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,762 in student loans.After graduating from MSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,575 during the early years of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, MSU also did well on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Wayne State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #7 on the list. WSC is located in Wayne, Nebraska and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 334 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSC are $7,458 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,000 during the early year of their career.
Morningside College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Morningside College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Sioux City, Iowa that handed out 314 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Morningside are $35,270 a year. On average, students take out $26,099 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208. During the early years of their career, Morningside graduates make an average of $51,189 annually.
Dickinson State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. DSU is a small public school situated in Dickinson, North Dakota. It awarded 41 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DSU are $9,942 a year. On average, students take out $25,653 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, DSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,771 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, DSU is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Valley City State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Valley City, North Dakota, the small public school awarded 282 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Valley City State University undergraduate students pay an average of $12,969 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $22,578 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Valley City State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,881 during the early years of their career.
Valley City State University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Doane University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #11 on the list. Doane University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Crete, Nebraska that handed out 301 degrees in 2020-2021.
Doane Crete undergraduate students pay an average of $37,880 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,859 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $269, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Doane Crete graduates make an average of $40,305 annually.
Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #12 on the list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Marshall, Minnesota. It awarded 255 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Minnesota State University are $9,482 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,598 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates make an average of $40,918 annually.
Mayville State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Mayville, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 88 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mayville State University are $10,756 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mayville State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,678 during the early year of their career.
William Woods University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Fulton, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 387 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at William Woods are $26,730 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,703 in student loans. During the early years of their career, William Woods graduates make an average of $39,965 annually.
Bemidji State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Bemidji State University is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 167 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bemidji State University are $9,806 per year. On average, students take out $25,667 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Bemidji State University graduates make an average of $43,896 annually.
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 635 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $18,200 per year. On average, students take out $24,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $133 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Minnesota State Mankato graduates make an average of $46,060 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Minnesota State Mankato also is in the top 15% of our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Concordia University, Nebraska landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Concordia University, Nebraska is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seward, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,009 degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Nebraska undergraduate students pay an average of $36,310 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,880 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Nebraska graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,364 during the early year of their career.
University of Sioux Falls landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. University of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that handed out 100 degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Sioux Falls undergraduate students pay an average of $19,900 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,830 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, University of Sioux Falls graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,299 during the early year of their career.
Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #19 on the list. Dakota State is a small public school situated in Madison, South Dakota. It awarded 48 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Dakota State are $12,735 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,216 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Dakota State graduates make an average of $49,355 annually.
Dakota State also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Peru State College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Peru, Nebraska, the small public school handed out 158 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Peru State are $7,800 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,366 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Peru State graduates make an average of $37,169 annually.
Metropolitan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #21 on the list. Metropolitan State University is a medium-sized public school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 74 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,394 a year. On average, students take out $31,302 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Metro State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,827 during the early years of their career.
Hamline University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 382 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hamline are $46,221 per year. On average, students take out $25,733 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $288, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Hamline graduates make an average of $41,396 annually.
Northern State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. NSU is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 158 degrees in 2020-2021.
NSU undergraduate students pay an average of $11,947 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,374 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,422 during the early year of their career.
NSU also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 850 degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest undergraduate students pay an average of $14,919 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,189 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $200, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northwest graduates make an average of $37,439 annually.
Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region list. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 449 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $23,900 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $30,777 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Concordia University, Saint Paul, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,318 during the early years of their career.
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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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