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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 degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

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. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Southeast Technical Institute awarded about 17 best degrees in the most recent data 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. Get the full best details for Southeast Technical Institute

2

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $26,355 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Western Iowa Tech Community College

3
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

A rank of #3 makes Ridgewater College one of the top schools for best. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. About 42 best degrees were awarded at Ridgewater College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Ridgewater College earn around $37,141 in the first couple years of their career. Ridgewater College graduates carry a median of $14,171 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Ridgewater College

4

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 19 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,814. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full best details 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. Graduates of the best program make about $36,866 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,255. Read more about the best program at Dakota County Technical College

6

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #6 position for best this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. 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. Read more about the best program at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

7
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College landed the #7 spot for best this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 21 best students who graduated with this degree at Jefferson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $47,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for 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. There were roughly 13 best students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $38,962 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,252. More information about a degree in best from Des Moines Area Community College

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

Kirkwood Community College placed #9 among the best best schools. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Kirkwood Community College awarded about 16 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $41,681 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Kirkwood Community College

10

Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture came in at #10 for best this year. Set in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public institution. Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture awarded about 87 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $32,793 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,625 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture

11

Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for best this year. 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. Students who receive their best degree from Rochester Community And Technical College earn around $38,817 in the first couple years of their career. Rochester Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Rochester Community And Technical College

12

Northeast Community College landed the #12 spot for best this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Northeast Community College awarded about 15 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $34,363. Typical student debt for the program is $11,937. Get the full best details for Northeast Community College

13

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hibbing. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. See the full best program report for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

14

Colby Community College landed the #14 spot for best this year. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 24 best students who graduated with this degree at Colby Community College in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $36,184 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Colby Community College

15

Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Lakes Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Iowa Lakes Community College graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Iowa Lakes Community College

16

Iowa Western Community College landed the #16 spot for best this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Iowa Western Community College awarded about 14 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $43,444 in their early 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 ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. About 17 best degrees were awarded at Crowder College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,370. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Crowder College

18

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #18 spot for best this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $39,833. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

19

Wichita Area Technical College landed the #19 spot for best this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Wichita. Wichita Area Technical College awarded about 18 best degrees 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. Wichita Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,118 in student loans. Get the full best details for 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. Graduates of the best program make about $31,017 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,484 to complete this degree. 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. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 10 best students who graduated with this degree at Moberly Area Community College in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in best from Moberly Area Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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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