2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 98 schools in the Plains States Region to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Grantham University to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Plains States Region . Grantham University is a medium-sized public school situated in LIttle Rock, Arkansas. It awarded 569 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Grantham University are $8,280 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,063 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, Grantham University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Grantham University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Out of the 98 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies landed the # 2 spot on the list. Fayette, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 586 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CMU CGES are $6,960 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,750 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CMU CGES. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Bellevue University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the Plains States Region . This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 2,117 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Bellevue University undergraduate students pay an average of $8,790 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,796 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bellevue University does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Bellevue University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Bemidji State University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the Plains States Region . Bemidji State University is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 972 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bemidji State University are $10,130 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,541 in student loans.
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. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, Bemidji State University is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Ottawa University - Online is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Ottawa, Kansas, and it awarded 74 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ottawa University - Online are $12,676 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,495 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, Ottawa University - Online is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Ottawa University - Online also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #3.
Dakota State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Dakota State University is a small public school located in Madison, South Dakota that handed out 353 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dakota State are $12,735 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,873 in loans while pursuing 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Dakota State also took the #4 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.
Wayne State College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 683 students in 2021-2022.
WSC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,688 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WSC. In 2020-2021 about 34% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Metropolitan State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Metro State is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,735 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,684 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,393 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Metro State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ottawa University - Kansas City landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Ottawa University - Kansas City is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Overland Park, Kansas. It awarded 80 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Ottawa University - Kansas City undergraduate students pay an average of $12,622 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,495 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Ottawa University - Kansas City is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Ottawa University - Kansas City also did well on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Minot State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. This small public school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 529 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MSU are $8,508 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Crookston, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 435 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMN Crookston are $13,010 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,659 in student loans.
UMN Crookston does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Crookston also is in the top 15% of our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Park University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Parkville, Missouri. It awarded 1,586 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Park University are $9,702 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,252 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Park University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 457 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwest Minnesota State University are $10,122 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southwest Minnesota State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 22% took at least some of their classes online.
Capella University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,115 students in 2021-2022.
Capella University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,328 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,673 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, Capella University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Capella University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a very small private for-profit school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 23 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - North Dakota are $12,285 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,981 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 Rasmussen University - North Dakota does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ranken Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 29 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ranken Technical College are $16,960 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $26,167 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ranken Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Ranken Technical College also did well on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
South Dakota State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 2,023 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,083 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that South Dakota State does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of South Dakota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,293 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USD are $12,942 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,673 in student loans.
Online courses are available at USD, 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, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 2,382 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Dakota State University are $15,446 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,418 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Dakota State University. In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, North Dakota State University is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Winona State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,483 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Winona State are $17,224 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,128 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Winona State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Winona State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
With a ranking of #22, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. St. Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 136 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Minnesota are $13,765 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,981 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, Stephens College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Stephens College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 92 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Stephens are $25,586 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $30,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Stephens. In fact, around 18% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Stephens also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #2.
Waldorf University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Forest City, Iowa, the small private for-profit school awarded 592 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Waldorf are $24,526 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,767 in student loans.
Waldorf 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
Waldorf not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Rasmussen University - Kansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Topeka, Kansas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 35 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Kansas are $13,958 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,981 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - Kansas, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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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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