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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

1 Colleges in the United States
422 Best Degrees Awarded
$57,800 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.

College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best best schools.

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

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for best. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 99 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. Read more about the best program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #2. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,755 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 78 best degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $56,395 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Get the full best details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4

North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fargo. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 13 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,153. More information about a degree in best from North Dakota State University Main Campus

5

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 83 best degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $69,785 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Get the full best details for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

6

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 25 best degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Minnesota State University Mankato

7
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 46 best students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Rockhurst University graduates carry a median of $24,111 in student loans. See the full best program report for Rockhurst University

8
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 36 best students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $61,548 in their early career. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Bellevue University

9

University Of South Dakota landed the #9 spot for best this year. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of South Dakota

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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