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$43,395 Average Earnings
$25,414 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which business program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

The <nil> ranking is one of many tools that Business Degree Central has developed to help you make your educational decision.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Business Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Ridgewater College

Willmar, Minnesota
$38,961 Average Earnings
$18,601 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Ridgewater College to be the best school for business students in the Plains States Region .

Degree recipients from Ridgewater College accumulate an average of $18,601 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ridgewater College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,961 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,404 Average Earnings
$16,840 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bismarck State College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,840 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, BSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,404 during the early year of their career.

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#3

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$61,341 Average Earnings
$18,648 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #3 on this year’s list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,648 in student loans.After graduating from WUSTL, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,341 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
$46,125 Average Earnings
$18,397 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dakota County Technical College. It ranked #4 on our list.

Degree recipients from DCTC accumulate an average of $18,397 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, DCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,125 during the early year of their career.

Full Dakota County Technical College Report

#5

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
$43,464 Average Earnings
$23,645 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College. It ranked #5 on our list.

Degree recipients from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus accumulate an average of $23,645 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus graduates make an average of $43,464 annually.

Read full report on Anoka-Ramsey Community College

#6

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas
$38,555 Average Earnings
$18,967 Avg Student Debt

Hutchinson Community College ranked #6 on this year’s list.

On average, students take out $18,967 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Hutchinson Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,555 during the early year of their career.

Full Hutchinson Community College Report

#7

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
$41,281 Average Earnings
$30,701 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $30,701 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Minnesota graduates make an average of $41,281 annually.

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#8

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$56,351 Average Earnings
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #8 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from UST MN accumulate an average of $21,455 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $307, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UST MN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,351 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
$46,927 Average Earnings
$20,572 Avg Student Debt

Drake University landed the #9 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

On average, students take out $20,572 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $432. During the early years of their career, Drake graduates make an average of $46,927 annually.

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$39,038 Average Earnings
$19,353 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State Community and Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $19,353 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, M State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,038 during the early year of their career.

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#11

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
$46,901 Average Earnings
$21,797 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

On average, students take out $21,797 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $398, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mizzou, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,901 during the early years of their career.

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#12

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$39,912 Average Earnings
$20,379 Avg Student Debt

Southeast Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

Degree recipients from Southeast Tech accumulate an average of $20,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Southeast Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,912 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southeast Technical College

#13

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
$54,053 Average Earnings
$29,741 Avg Student Debt

Bellevue University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,741 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bellevue University graduates make an average of $54,053 annually.

Read full report on Bellevue University

#14

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,445 Average Earnings
$21,399 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,399 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMN Twin Cities graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,445 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#15

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
$36,525 Average Earnings
$16,395 Avg Student Debt

Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #15 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,395 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $115, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, LATI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,525 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Lake Area Technical Institute

#16

Rasmussen University - North Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota
$41,940 Average Earnings
$30,604 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - North Dakota ranked #16 on this year’s list.

Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - North Dakota accumulate an average of $30,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $127. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - North Dakota graduates make an average of $41,940 annually.

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#17

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
$58,756 Average Earnings
$25,325 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Creighton University did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

On average, students take out $25,325 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $518. During the early years of their career, Creighton graduates make an average of $58,756 annually.

Full Creighton University Report

$63,979 Average Earnings
$24,872 Avg Student Debt

Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #18 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

Degree recipients from Missouri University of Science and Technology accumulate an average of $24,872 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $336 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates make an average of $63,979 annually.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Report

#19

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
$50,430 Average Earnings
$23,563 Avg Student Debt

University of Iowa came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

On average, students take out $23,563 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $379 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa graduates make an average of $50,430 annually.

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#20

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
$42,370 Average Earnings
$24,533 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

Degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College accumulate an average of $24,533 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Hennepin Community College graduates make an average of $42,370 annually.

Read full report on North Hennepin Community College

#21

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
$44,380 Average Earnings
$21,763 Avg Student Debt

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for business students. It came in at #21 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,763 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $298. During the early years of their career, UNL graduates make an average of $44,380 annually.

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#22

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
$48,142 Average Earnings
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

Iowa State University ranked #22 on this year’s list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,142 during the early year of their career.

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#23

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
$41,929 Average Earnings
$20,674 Avg Student Debt

Normandale Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,674 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Normandale Community College graduates make an average of $41,929 annually.

Read full report on Normandale Community College

#24

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,808 Average Earnings
$28,314 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, University of Mary did quite well on this year’s best schools for business students working.

Degree recipients from UMary accumulate an average of $28,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UMary graduates make an average of $55,808 annually.

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#25

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
$40,810 Average Earnings
$22,939 Avg Student Debt

University of Northern Iowa landed the #25 spot in the rankings for the best business programs.

On average, students take out $22,939 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,810 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Northern Iowa Report

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best business schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 Southwestern College Winfield, KS
27 Luther College Decorah, IA
28 Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, MN
29 Simpson College Indianola, IA
30 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
31 Rasmussen University - Kansas Topeka, KS
32 Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE
33 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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