2023 Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region
A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Grad Degree Search has created its Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 199 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.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capella University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 9,531 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Capella University accumulate an average of $36,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Capella University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,758 during the early years of their career. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,931 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,399 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. Once they receive their degree, UMN Twin Cities graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,445 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
The programs at University of Iowa helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Plains States Region . Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school handed out 3,630 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,563 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $379. During the early years of their career, Iowa graduates make an average of $50,430 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Out of the 199 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the # 5 spot on the list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,265 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WUSTL accumulate an average of $18,648 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WUSTL, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,341 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Webster University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 2,894 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,185 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Webster graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,709 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Kansas ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, the large public school handed out 2,749 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,985 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $365.After graduating from KU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,693 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 2,687 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,797 in loans while pursuing 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 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,106 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,584 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $452 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Maryville U graduates make an average of $59,828 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Springfield, Missouri, the large public school awarded 1,952 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Missouri State accumulate an average of $25,043 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Missouri State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,472 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,805 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UMKC accumulate an average of $27,022 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 $184 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMKC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,524 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Kansas State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,686 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. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Saint Louis University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1,520 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SLU accumulate an average of $25,051 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 $511 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SLU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,202 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Iowa State University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa State University is a large public school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 1,683 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. SMU MN is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,459 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $29,703 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SMU MN graduates make an average of $56,065 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the large public school handed out 1,452 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,763 in student loans. 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. 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, 51% were women.
University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 1,443 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UST MN accumulate an average of $21,455 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 $307 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UST MN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,351 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Creighton University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Creighton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,445 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,325 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $518. Once they receive their degree, Creighton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,756 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Bellevue University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,174 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Bellevue University accumulate an average of $29,741 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bellevue University graduates make an average of $54,053 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Central Missouri came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UCM is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,129 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,019 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $168.After graduating from UCM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,823 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Emporia State University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region list. ESU is located in Emporia, Kansas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,125 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,476 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $162. Once they receive their degree, ESU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,991 during the early year of their career. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
A T Still University of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 1,362 degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, A T Still University of Health Sciences graduates make an average of $79,229 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Wichita State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Wichita State University is a fairly large public school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 1,061 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WSU accumulate an average of $26,875 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 $142 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WSU graduates make an average of $45,743 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1,049 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UMSL accumulate an average of $27,595 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $120, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMSL graduates make an average of $45,753 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
With a ranking of #25, University of North Dakota did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 1,016 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $591, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UND, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,496 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 30 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by State
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO |
| 32 | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| 33 | Concordia University, Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN |
| 34 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD |
| 35 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus | Fargo, ND |
| 36 | University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha, NE |
| 37 | Park University | Parkville, MO |
| 38 | Drake University | Des Moines, IA |
| 39 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth, MN |
| 40 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS |
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.