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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 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 94 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in the The Plains States Region

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

Top Schools in General Education

1

Washington University In St Louis tops our 2026 ranking of the best general education schools. 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Washington University In St Louis

2

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Missouri University Of Science And Technology awarded about 20 general education degrees in the most recent data 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

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 121 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $59,959 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081. More information about a degree in general education from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

4

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 24 general education degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197. Read more about the general education program at Gustavus Adolphus College

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

University Of Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $58,049. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Iowa

6

Martin Luther College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of New Ulm. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 general education students who graduated with this degree at Martin Luther College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $31,016. Students borrow a median of $20,224 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Martin Luther College

7

Augustana College South Dakota landed the #7 spot for general education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Augustana College South Dakota awarded about 53 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $61,581 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,217 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Augustana College South Dakota

8

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #8 among the best general education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. 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. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. 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. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 17 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $57,694 in their early career. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Bethel University Minnesota

10
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #10 for general education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hamline University awarded about 46 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Hamline University earn around $52,452 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Hamline University

11

Kansas State University earned the #11 position 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. About 30 general education degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $51,543 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Kansas State University

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

Grand View University placed #12 among the best general education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 25 general education degrees were awarded at Grand View University in the most recent 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. Get the full general education details for Grand View University

13
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College came in at #13 for general education this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 12 general education students who graduated with this degree at Morningside College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Morningside College earn around $54,988 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,281. See the full general education program report for Morningside College

14

Mayville State University earned the #14 position for general education this year. This small public university is 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. General Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,464. Get the full general education details for Mayville State University

15
Tabor College crest
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS

Tabor College came in at #15 for general education this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 14 general education degrees were awarded at Tabor College in the most recent year. Read more about the general education program at Tabor College

16

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 general education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $36,244. 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 ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 10 general education students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $48,984 in their early 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 earned the #18 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 14 general education degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $51,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,260. Read more about the general education program at Minnesota State University Mankato

19

Winona State University earned the #19 position for general education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 21 general education degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Winona State University earn around $52,019 in the first couple years of their career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Winona State University

20
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University came in at #20 for general education this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 994 general education degrees were awarded at Walden University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $70,272. Walden University graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Walden University

21
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #21 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. Capella University awarded about 52 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $74,309 early in their careers. Capella University graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Capella University

22

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #22 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. 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. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $50,147 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Minnesota Duluth

23
Midland University crest
Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Midland University awarded about 66 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $42,394 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Midland University

24

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #24 position for general education this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn around $44,387 in the first couple years of their career. 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 came in at #25 for general education this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Fort Hays State University awarded about 185 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $50,872 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,967. More information about a degree in general education from Fort Hays State University

Rest of the Top 36 General Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general education this year:

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. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, 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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