2025 Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region
192
Colleges in the Plains States Region
32,176
Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,107
Avg Early-Career Salary
Nursing is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #3 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
College Factual reviewed 192 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of nursing. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 32,176 degrees in nursing annually.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Nursing School
The nursing program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Nursing rankings. For our Best Overall Nursing School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Nursing Rankings by Degree Level
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Nursing in the Plains States Region
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Plains States Region Schools in Nursing
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in nursing. Located in the midsize city of Rochester, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
There were approximately 37 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Mayo Clinic School of Medicine earn a boost of about $105,683 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
It's difficult to beat Creighton University if you wish to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #128 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Creighton is a great university overall.
There were roughly 437 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Creighton in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Creighton University receive an earnings boost of about $4,877 above the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a degree in nursing from Creighton University
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
Program Name
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
It's hard to beat University of Iowa if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.
There were about 307 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career wages of $82,796.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Iowa
Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #129 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a great university overall.
There were approximately 986 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career wages of $69,825.
More information about a degree in nursing from Rasmussen University - Minnesota
Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 7th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were roughly 301 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Winona State in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, nursing degree recipients generally earn around $79,889 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Winona State University
Located in the large city of Omaha, UNMC is a public university with a small student population.
There were about 498 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UNMC in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, nursing degree recipients generally earn about $79,849 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Nebraska Medical Center
Maryville U is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. This university ranks 7th out of 48 colleges for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were about 1386 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Maryville U in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Maryville University of Saint Louis earn a boost of around $19,292 above the typical income of nursing graduates.
More information about a degree in nursing from Maryville University of Saint Louis
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
Program Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #243 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SLU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 298 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SLU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $80,837.
More information about a degree in nursing from Saint Louis University
Goldfarb School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Saint Louis.
There were about 402 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Goldfarb School of Nursing in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $66,925 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.
There were approximately 378 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities receive $3,523 more than the average nursing grad.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Omaha.
There were about 265 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Clarkson College in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Clarkson College receive an earnings boost of approximately $10,575 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from Clarkson College
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership
Program Name
Get on track to lead with your online MSN in Nurse Executive Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
UND is a large public university located in the city of Grand Forks. This university ranks 3rd out of 12 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Dakota.
There were about 229 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UND in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from University of North Dakota make $46,535 more than the typical nursing grad.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of North Dakota
Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 292 nursing students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from University of Kansas get an earnings boost of about $5,504 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Kansas
Allen College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the small city of Waterloo.
There were roughly 179 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Allen College in the most recent data year. After graduation, nursing degree recipients typically earn around $78,359 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Allen College
Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 13 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Dakota.
There were approximately 418 nursing students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $73,092 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from South Dakota State University
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Program Name
Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Duluth. This college ranks 16th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were about 355 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St. Scholastica in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $75,499.
More information about a degree in nursing from The College of Saint Scholastica
Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #131 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.
There were about 347 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $82,972 for their early career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Missouri - Columbia
Located in the city of Kansas City, UMKC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 14th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were about 275 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UMKC in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from University of Missouri - Kansas City earn a boost of approximately $5,822 over the typical income of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Missouri - Kansas City
St. Kate's is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Saint Paul. This university ranks 9th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were roughly 290 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St. Kate's in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients usually make around $78,909 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from St Catherine University
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Nursing Education
Program Name
Position the next generation of nurses for success with your online MSN in Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public university located in the city of Mankato. This university ranks 11th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were approximately 367 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State Mankato in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $77,188 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from Minnesota State University - Mankato
Nebraska Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Omaha.
There were approximately 259 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Nebraska Methodist College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $74,566.
More information about a degree in nursing from Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a fairly small private for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Fargo. A Best Colleges rank of #252 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a great university overall.
There were about 144 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - North Dakota in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career income of $69,825.
More information about a degree in nursing from Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #293 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Mount Marty is a great university overall.
There were approximately 79 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mount Marty in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Mount Marty University earn $60,107 more than the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in nursing from Mount Marty University
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety
Program Name
Ensure a safer future for healthcare with your online MSN in Healthcare Quality & Safety from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
SMU MN is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Winona. This university ranks 12th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were approximately 44 nursing students who graduated with this degree at SMU MN in the most recent year we have data available. Nursing degree recipients from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota get an earnings boost of about $106,347 over the typical income of nursing majors.
More information about a degree in nursing from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Bethel University Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Paul. This university ranks 14th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were about 140 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $75,479.
More information about a degree in nursing from Bethel University Minnesota