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Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

$22,659 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

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

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Business Doctor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
10 Total Awards
#6 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$11,730 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Bellevue University to be the best value school for business students who want to pursue a doctor’s degree in the Plains States Region . Bellevue, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

Bellevue University graduate students pay an average of $11,730 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Bellevue University. In fact, around 99% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

4 Total Awards
#14 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$10,890 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent doctor’s degree programs at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value business schools in the Plains States Region . SMU MN is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 4 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN graduate students pay an average of $10,890 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at SMU MN. In fact, around 86% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

#3

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
2 Total Awards
#17 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$10,237 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Metropolitan State University is a great place for business students working on their doctor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Metro State are $10,237 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Metro State. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

7 Total Awards
#11 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$12,028 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 7 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at North Dakota State University are $12,028 per year.

North Dakota State University does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 20% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#5

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
1 Total Awards
#16 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$10,402 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Hamline University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Hamline are $10,402 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hamline does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 78% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Hamline University

#6

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
296 Total Awards
#18 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$10,092 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Walden University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their doctor’s degree. Walden University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 296 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Walden University are $10,092 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, Walden University is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Full Walden University Report

#7

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
17 Total Awards
#3 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$19,096 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Creighton University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 17 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Creighton are $19,096 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Creighton does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Creighton also made our list, coming in at #3.

Full Creighton University Report

#8

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
166 Total Awards
#13 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$14,784 Average Tuition & Fees

Capella University ranked #8 on this year’s list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 166 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Capella University are $14,784 a year.

Since the graduate programs at Capella University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Capella University

#9

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
4 Total Awards
#10 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$18,640 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Ambrose University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at St. Ambrose University are $18,640 per year.

St. Ambrose University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 15% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
2 Total Awards
#20 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$13,500 Average Tuition & Fees

Webster University landed the #10 spot in the rankings for the best value doctor’s degree business programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 2 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Webster are $13,500 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Webster. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#11

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
1 Total Awards
#5 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$22,614 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Louis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. SLU is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at SLU are $22,614 per year.

One thing to take note of is that SLU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, SLU is ranked #5 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .

Read full report on Saint Louis University

#12

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
17 Total Awards
#4 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$23,949 Average Tuition & Fees

Kansas State University landed the #12 spot in the rankings for the best value doctor’s degree business programs. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, the large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at K -State are $23,949 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at K -State. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

K -State also took the #4 spot in our rankings.

Read full report on Kansas State University

#13

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
9 Total Awards
#15 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$19,541 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #13 on this year’s list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large public school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 9 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UNL are $19,541 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UNL. In fact, around 48% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Report

#14

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
75 Total Awards
#2 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$29,262 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the ranking. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities graduate students pay an average of $29,262 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UMN Twin Cities. In fact, around 65% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #2 spot in our rankings.

Read full report on University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#15

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
20 Total Awards
#7 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$26,948 Average Tuition & Fees

Iowa State University ranked #15 on this year’s list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Iowa State are $26,948 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Iowa State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Iowa State University Report

#16

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
3 Total Awards
#12 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$25,007 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Kansas ranked #16 on this year’s list. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at KU are $25,007 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at KU. In fact, around 69% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Kansas Report

#17

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
17 Total Awards
#9 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$28,550 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Mizzou are $28,550 per year.

Mizzou does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
9 Total Awards
#8 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$31,012 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Iowa landed the #18 spot in the rankings for the best value doctor’s degree business programs. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school handed out 9 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Iowa graduate students pay an average of $31,012 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Iowa does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#19

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
2 Total Awards
#19 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$27,803 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #19 spot in the rankings for the best value doctor’s degree business programs. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC graduate students pay an average of $27,803 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that UMKC does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#20

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
21 Total Awards
#1 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$58,288 Average Tuition & Fees

Washington University in St Louis landed the #20 spot in the rankings for the best value doctor’s degree business programs. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL graduate students pay an average of $58,288 in tuition and fees each year.

WUSTL does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, WUSTL is ranked #1 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .

Full Washington University in St Louis Report

#21

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
12 Total Awards
#21 in Quality in the Plains States Region
$30,756 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 12 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UMSL are $30,756 a year.

Online graduate courses are available at UMSL, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 71% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 schools only.

References

  • 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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