2026 Best Best Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia tops our 2026 ranking of the best best schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. 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. See the full best program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

2

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Drake University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 51 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $56,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. See the full best program report for Drake University

3

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 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. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 78 best degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

5

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 13 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $54,076 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

6

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #6 for best this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. Maryville University Of Saint Louis awarded about 96 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. Read more about the best program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

7

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #7 for best this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 96 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $69,785 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

8

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #8 for best this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 best degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $53,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,260. Read more about the best program at Minnesota State University Mankato

9

Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University earned the #9 position for best this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rockhurst University awarded about 46 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $70,849 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,111. Get the full best details for Rockhurst University

10

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #10 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 38 best degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Missouri State University Springfield

11

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 best students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Bellevue University earn around $61,548 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Bellevue University

12

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #12 for best this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 best degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $54,835 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,026. Read more about the best program at Concordia University Saint Paul

13

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota landed the #13 spot for best this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Get the full best details for University Of South Dakota