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 analysis found University of Iowa to be the most popular school for business students in the Plains States Region . Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,761 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $23,563 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $379, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,430 during the early years of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 2,416 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,399 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, UMN Twin Cities graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,445 during the early year of their career. Around 46% of those degree recipients 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 large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 2,407 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Capella University accumulate an average of $36,349 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Webster University is a great place for business students. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2,101 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,185 in loans while pursuing their degree.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.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Bellevue University is a great place for business students. 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.After graduating from Bellevue University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,053 during the early years of their career. 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. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,774 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,598 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. 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.
With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the large public school awarded 1,744 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,763 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $298. Once they receive their degree, UNL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,380 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school handed out 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. During the early years of their career, Mizzou graduates make an average of $46,901 annually. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.
Fort Hays State University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 1,684 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,036 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from FHSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,454 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #10, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. This large public school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 1,558 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,043 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you 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.
With a ranking of #11, University of Kansas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,480 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $23,985 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $365.After graduating from KU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,693 during the early years of their career. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #12, Kansas State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,468 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from K -State accumulate an average of $23,965 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 $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 landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,292 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,858 in loans while pursuing 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. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
Washington University in St Louis landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 1,241 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,648 in student loans. 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.
With a ranking of #16, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Columbia College Missouri is located in Columbia, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,111 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $31,707 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Columbia College Missouri, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,927 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,049 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,455 in loans while pursuing 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. During the early years of their career, UST MN graduates make an average of $56,351 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
Grantham University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 742 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,781 in student loans.After graduating from Grantham University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,745 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 724 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $27,595 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $120. Once they receive their degree, UMSL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,753 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
University of Northern Iowa ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school handed out 720 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Once they receive their degree, UNI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,810 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 702 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UMKC accumulate an average of $27,022 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 $184. During the early years of their career, UMKC graduates make an average of $57,524 annually. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.
Wichita State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 696 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,875 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $142. Once they receive their degree, WSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,743 during the early year of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Creighton University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 676 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,325 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $518. Once they receive their degree, Creighton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,756 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. This fairly large public school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 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.After graduating from Minnesota State Mankato, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,060 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
Metropolitan State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 647 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,302 in student loans.After graduating from Metro State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,827 during the early years 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 | School Removed | |
| 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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