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Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Business Schools in the Plains States Region

301 Schools Ranked
$43,395 Average Earnings
$25,414 Avg Student Debt

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.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
2,761 Total Awards
$50,430 Average Earnings
$23,563 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
2,416 Total Awards
$50,445 Average Earnings
$21,399 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#3

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
2,407 Total Awards
$61,758 Average Earnings
$36,349 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full Capella University Report

#4

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
2,101 Total Awards
$50,709 Average Earnings
$24,185 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Webster University

#5

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
1,933 Total Awards
$54,053 Average Earnings
$29,741 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full Bellevue University Report

#6

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
1,774 Total Awards
$48,142 Average Earnings
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#7

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
1,744 Total Awards
$44,380 Average Earnings
$21,763 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Report

#8

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
1,719 Total Awards
$46,901 Average Earnings
$21,797 Avg Student Debt

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.

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1,684 Total Awards
$43,454 Average Earnings
$28,036 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Fort Hays State University

#10

Missouri State University - Springfield

Springfield, Missouri
1,558 Total Awards
$40,472 Average Earnings
$25,043 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Missouri State University - Springfield

#11

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
1,480 Total Awards
$50,693 Average Earnings
$23,985 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full University of Kansas Report

#12

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
1,468 Total Awards
$45,255 Average Earnings
$23,965 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#13

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
1,292 Total Awards
$46,849 Average Earnings
$24,858 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#14

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
1,241 Total Awards
$61,341 Average Earnings
$18,648 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Washington University in St Louis

#16

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
1,111 Total Awards
$40,927 Average Earnings
$31,707 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#17

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
1,049 Total Awards
$56,351 Average Earnings
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on University of St Thomas Minnesota

#18

Grantham University

Lenexa, Kansas
742 Total Awards
$55,745 Average Earnings
$28,781 Avg Student Debt

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.

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#19

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
724 Total Awards
$45,753 Average Earnings
$27,595 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Report

#20

University of Northern Iowa

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

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.

Full University of Northern Iowa Report

#21

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
702 Total Awards
$57,524 Average Earnings
$27,022 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Report

#22

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
696 Total Awards
$45,743 Average Earnings
$26,875 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Wichita State University

#23

Creighton University

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

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.

Read full report on Creighton University

666 Total Awards
$46,060 Average Earnings
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

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.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Report

#25

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
647 Total Awards
$47,827 Average Earnings
$31,302 Avg Student Debt

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.

Read full report on Metropolitan State University

Not only did these schools make the top 46 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#28

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska
#29

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#30

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
#31

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#32

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#33

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota
#34

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#36

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#37

Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, Missouri
#38

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
#39

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#40

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
#41

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#42

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#43

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
#44

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#45

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
#45

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

View Most Popular Business Schools Nationwide >

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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