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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

24 Colleges in the United States
2,468 General Education Degrees Awarded
$50,208 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.

College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Education

1

Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for general education. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 33 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Washington University In St Louis

2

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #2. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 20 general education degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $74,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,187. Get the full general education details for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

3

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 121 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $59,959 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

4

A rank of #4 makes Gustavus Adolphus College one of the top schools for general education. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 general education degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197. See the full general education program report for Gustavus Adolphus College

5
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #5. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $58,049 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at University Of Iowa

6

Martin Luther College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 12 general education students who graduated with this degree at Martin Luther College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Martin Luther College earn around $31,016 in the first couple years of their career. Martin Luther College graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Martin Luther College

7

Augustana College South Dakota placed #7 among the best general education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 general education students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $61,581. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Augustana College South Dakota

8

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 31 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Missouri Columbia

9

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 17 general education degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $57,694 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Bethel University Minnesota

10
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University landed the #10 spot for general education this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 general education students who graduated with this degree at Hamline University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $52,452 early in their careers. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Hamline University

11

Kansas State University came in at #11 for general education this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 general education students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Kansas State University

12
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University came in at #12 for general education this year. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 general education students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $45,180 in their early career. Grand View University graduates carry a median of $26,941 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Grand View University

13
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College came in at #13 for general education this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Morningside College awarded about 12 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $54,988 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,281. Read more about the general education program at Morningside College

14

Mayville State University landed the #14 spot for general education this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. There were roughly 22 general education students who graduated with this degree at Mayville State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Mayville State University earn around $49,971 in the first couple years of their career. Mayville State University graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Mayville State University

15
Tabor College crest
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS

Tabor College landed the #15 spot for general education this year. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tabor College awarded about 14 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the general education program at Tabor College

16

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general education this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 51 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $36,244 in their early career. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus

17

Bemidji State University earned the #17 position for general education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. About 46% of students finish within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Bemidji State University earn around $48,984 in the first couple years of their career. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Bemidji State University

18

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 14 general education students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $51,118. Typical student debt for the program is $25,260. Get the full general education details for Minnesota State University Mankato

19

Winona State University landed the #19 spot for general education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 21 general education degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $52,019. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Winona State University

20
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University earned the #20 position for general education this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. There were roughly 994 general education students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,272 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $49,361 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Walden University

21
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #21 position for general education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. About 52 general education degrees were awarded at Capella University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Capella University earn around $74,309 in the first couple years of their career. Capella University graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Capella University

22

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #22 position for general education this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $50,147. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624. See the full general education program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

23
Midland University crest
Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University landed the #23 spot for general education this year. Midland University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fremont. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 general education students who graduated with this degree at Midland University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $42,394 in their early career. Midland University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Midland University

24

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #24 among the best general education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Hibbing. About 10 general education degrees were awarded at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Typical student debt for the program is $17,029. See the full general education program report for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

25

Fort Hays State University landed the #25 spot for general education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Hays. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 185 general education students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,872 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Fort Hays State University

Rest of the Top 36 General Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general education education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Baker University crest
Baker University
Baldwin City, KS
32
33
34
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
35
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO
36

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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 · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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