2023 Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region
It's not easy to decide which business program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Business Degree Central has created the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 301 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Iowa the most popular school in the Plains States Region for business students working on their degree. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school awarded 2,761 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $23,563 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 $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. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 301 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the # 2 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 2,416 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,399 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMN Twin Cities graduates make an average of $50,445 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,407 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,349 in student loans.After graduating from Capella University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,758 during the early years of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 301 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Webster University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Webster is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,101 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,185 in student loans.After graduating from Webster, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,709 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
The programs at Bellevue University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the Plains States Region . Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,933 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Iowa State University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large public school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 1,774 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $257. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large public school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 1,744 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,763 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $298 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNL graduates make an average of $44,380 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 1,719 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,797 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $398.After graduating from Mizzou, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,901 during the early years of their career. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Fort Hays State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 1,684 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,036 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FHSU graduates make an average of $43,454 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large public school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 1,558 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Missouri State accumulate an average of $25,043 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 $168 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Missouri State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,472 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Kansas ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Kansas is a large public school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 1,480 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,985 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $365 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, KU graduates make an average of $50,693 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.
Kansas State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,468 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,965 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $273 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, K -State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,255 during the early year of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
Park University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,292 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Park University accumulate an average of $24,858 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Park University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,849 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Washington University in St Louis landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,241 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WUSTL accumulate an average of $18,648 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WUSTL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,341 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbia College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 1,111 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,707 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Columbia College Missouri graduates make an average of $40,927 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
With a ranking of #17, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 1,049 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UST MN accumulate an average of $21,455 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 $307 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UST MN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,351 during the early years of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
Grantham University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 742 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Grantham University accumulate an average of $28,781 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Grantham University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,745 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 724 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,595 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $120, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMSL, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,753 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
With a ranking of #20, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 720 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $22,939 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $172, assuming you 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. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 702 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UMKC accumulate an average of $27,022 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $184, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMKC graduates make an average of $57,524 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.
Wichita State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WSU is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 696 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $26,875 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $142 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WSU graduates make an average of $45,743 annually. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Creighton University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #23 on the list. Creighton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 676 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the fairly large public school handed out 666 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $133 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Minnesota State Mankato graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,060 during the early year of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Metropolitan State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 647 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,302 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Metro State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,827 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 46 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular business schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Drake University | Des Moines, IA |
| 47 | Emporia State University | Emporia, KS |
| 49 | University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO |
| 50 | Minnesota State University - Moorhead | Moorhead, MN |
| 51 | University of Mary | Bismarck, ND |
| 52 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| 53 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN |
| 54 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA |
| 55 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS |
| 56 | Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield, MO |
| 57 | Missouri Southern State University | Joplin, MO |
| 57 | Truman State University | Kirksville, MO |
| 59 | Wayne State College | Wayne, NE |
| 60 | National American University - Rapid City | Rapid City, SD |
| 60 | South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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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