2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,228. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,960. General Studies graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $29,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,960 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School, which ranked #4. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes North Iowa Area Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,335 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $27,433. Set against $9,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $31,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,567. General Studies graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $26,787 early in their careers. Set against $12,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $31,453 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $14,237 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $30,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,400. General Studies graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $26,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Independence Community College earned the #13 position for value in general studies this year. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,302. General Studies graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,330 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,747. Set against $11,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,821. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,193 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,291. That is a strong return on a $11,193 median debt.
Minot State University came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,147 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,147 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $40,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Labette Community College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $22,095. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,957. General Studies graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $28,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Tribes Technical College landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $25,292.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,519. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Valley City State University earned the #24 position for value in general studies this year. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,074. General Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Barton County Community College came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $25,863 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
Narrow General Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
