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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in the The Plains States Region

9 Colleges in the United States
470 Best Degrees Awarded
$38,594 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

Our analysis ranked Southeast Technical Institute the best school in the country for a degree in best. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 17 best degrees were awarded at Southeast Technical Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $48,654. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Southeast Technical Institute

2

Western Iowa Tech Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 14 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College earn around $26,355 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Western Iowa Tech Community College

3
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willmar. There were roughly 42 best students who graduated with this degree at Ridgewater College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Ridgewater College earn around $37,141 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,171 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Ridgewater College

4

A rank of #4 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the top schools for best. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 best students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Best graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,814 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full best program report for North Dakota State University Main Campus

5

A rank of #5 makes Dakota County Technical College one of the top schools for best. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Dakota County Technical College awarded about 40 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Dakota County Technical College earn around $36,866 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,255 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Dakota County Technical College

6

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #6 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. There were roughly 37 best students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn around $37,631 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,934. Get the full best details for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

7
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College earned the #7 position for best this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. About 21 best degrees were awarded at Jefferson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Jefferson College earn around $47,560 in the first couple years of their career. Jefferson College graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Jefferson College

8

Des Moines Area Community College came in at #8 for best this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. About 13 best degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $38,962 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Des Moines Area Community College

9
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College earned the #9 position for best this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 16 best students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Typical student debt for the program is $15,779. More information about a degree in best from Kirkwood Community College

10

Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture landed the #10 spot for best this year. Located in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public university. About 87 best degrees were awarded at Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $32,793 in their early career. Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture

11

Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. Rochester Community And Technical College awarded about 20 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $38,817 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. See the full best program report for Rochester Community And Technical College

12

Northeast Community College placed #12 among the best best schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Norfolk. Northeast Community College awarded about 15 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $34,363 early in their careers. Northeast Community College graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Northeast Community College

13

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #13 spot for best this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 12 best students who graduated with this degree at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

14

Colby Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Colby. There were roughly 24 best students who graduated with this degree at Colby Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $36,184 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Colby Community College

15

Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #15 for best this year. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Iowa Lakes Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Typical student debt for the program is $20,876. See the full best program report for Iowa Lakes Community College

16

Iowa Western Community College earned the #16 position for best this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $43,444 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. See the full best program report for Iowa Western Community College

17
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College earned the #17 position for best this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Neosho. There were roughly 17 best students who graduated with this degree at Crowder College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Crowder College earn around $33,370 in the first couple years of their career. Crowder College graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Crowder College

18

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #18 position for best this year. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $39,833. Typical student debt for the program is $14,348. Get the full best details for Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

19

Wichita Area Technical College came in at #19 for best this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 18 best students who graduated with this degree at Wichita Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Wichita Area Technical College earn around $32,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,118 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Wichita Area Technical College

20

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #20 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Eastern Iowa Community College District awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $31,017 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,484. Read more about the best program at Eastern Iowa Community College District

21

Moberly Area Community College came in at #21 for best this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. About 10 best degrees were awarded at Moberly Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Moberly Area Community College earn around $44,755 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Moberly Area Community College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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