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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 2023 rankings named Grantham University the best value school in the Plains States Region for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. LIttle Rock, Arkansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 569 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Grantham University are $8,280 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $32,063 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since Grantham University is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Grantham University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in the Plains States Region . CMU CGES is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Missouri. It awarded 586 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CMU CGES are $6,960 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,750 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CMU CGES. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Report
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Bellevue University is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,117 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bellevue University are $8,790 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,796 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Bellevue 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, Bellevue University is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bemidji State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This small public school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, 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. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,541 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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 fact, around 56% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Bemidji State University 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.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ottawa University - Online. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Ottawa, Kansas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 74 students in 2021-2022.
Ottawa University - Online undergraduate students pay an average of $12,676 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,495 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Ottawa University - Online is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Ottawa University - Online also took the #3 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region rankings.
With a ranking of #6, Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Madison, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 353 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,735 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,873 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Dakota State. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Dakota State also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #4.
Wayne State College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WSC is a small public school situated in Wayne, Nebraska. It awarded 683 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSC are $7,688 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity 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 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 #8 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,735 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Metro State does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Ottawa University - Kansas City ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Overland Park, Kansas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 80 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ottawa University - Kansas City are $12,622 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,495 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Ottawa University - Kansas City is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Ottawa University - Kansas City also claimed a spot on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
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. Located in Minot, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 529 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
MSU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,508 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MSU does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Minnesota - Crookston landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. University of Minnesota - Crookston is a small public school located in Crookston, Minnesota that handed out 435 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
UMN Crookston undergraduate students pay an average of $13,010 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,659 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMN Crookston. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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 landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,586 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Park University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,702 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,252 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Park 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 fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southwest Minnesota 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 #13 on the list. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 457 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Minnesota State University are $10,122 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,604 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Minnesota State University. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #15, Capella University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,115 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Capella University are $14,328 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,673 in loans while pursuing 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 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 #16 on the list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, the very small private for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students 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. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,981 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota 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 91% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Ranken Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 29 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Ranken Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $16,960 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,167 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Ranken Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ranken Technical College also claimed a spot on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
South Dakota State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,023 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Dakota State are $12,809 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,083 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Dakota State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of South Dakota came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 1,293 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at USD are $12,942 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,673 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that USD does offer online classes in some areas. 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. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,382 students in 2021-2022.
North Dakota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $15,446 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,418 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Dakota State University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.
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.
Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus
Winona State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,483 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Winona State are $17,224 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,128 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Winona State. In 2020-2021 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school awarded 136 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree 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.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota 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 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. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 92 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Stephens undergraduate students pay an average of $25,586 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $30,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Stephens. During the 2020-2021 year, about 18% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Stephens not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Plains States Region list.
With a ranking of #24, Waldorf University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. This small private for-profit school is located in Forest City, Iowa, and it awarded 592 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Waldorf undergraduate students pay an average of $24,526 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 $22,767 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Waldorf does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Waldorf did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #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. Rasmussen University - Kansas is a very small private for-profit school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 35 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Rasmussen University - Kansas undergraduate students pay an average of $13,958 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 $28,981 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rasmussen University - Kansas does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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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