2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 29,923 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $66,148 and $28,004 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 7,280 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 50 colleges that offer a degree in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
Featured schools near , edit
More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools
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 “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 88 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #2 spot on the list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 90 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326.
Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Mizzou also took the #22 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Missouri - Columbia
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mount Marty University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Mount Marty is a small school located in Yankton, South Dakota that handed out 18 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Mount Marty also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Marty University are $8,175.
Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #5 spot on the list. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
UMSL also took the #0 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788.
Winona State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State are $12,378, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #8, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FHSU is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Fort Hays State University are $11,376, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Missouri State University - Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042.
Pittsburg State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pitt State is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, Kansas. It awarded 7 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Pitt State are $19,320, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #11, Newman University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Newman University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Newman University are $8,484, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 64 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
SMU MN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Nursing at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Rockhurst University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 81 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockhurst, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rockhurst University are $16,780, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 80 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #15, University of Mary did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it awarded 52 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMary, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Mary are $17,861, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 47 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Central Missouri
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Southeast Missouri State University are $10,792, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Nursing at Southeast Missouri State University
Missouri Western State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Joseph, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri Western State University are $12,212, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Saint Louis University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 92 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
SLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Iowa ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 7 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 45 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743.
St Catherine University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 93 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
St. Kate’s also made our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Kate’s are $17,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #23, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.
WSU also took the #0 spot in our “Best Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112.
With a ranking of #24, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 15 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 16 masters’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Moorhead are $9,900, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Nursing at Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
All Degree Levels
Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Bachelors
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Doctorate
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Narrow Results by Region
Southeast
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
Rocky Mountains
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Middle Atlantic
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
Southwest
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region
New England
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the New England Region
Plains States
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Far Western US
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
Great Lakes
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Narrow Results by State
Kansas
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in Kansas
Iowa
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in Iowa
North Dakota
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in North Dakota
Nebraska
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in Nebraska
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Health Sciences & Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Health Sciences & Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Health & Medical Administrative Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Health & Medical Administrative Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Allied Health Professions
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Allied Health Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Medical Science
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Medical Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Alternative Medicine & Systems
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Alternative Medicine & Systems (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Communication Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Communication Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Dental Support Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Dental Support Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Mental & Social Health Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Mental & Social Health Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Public Health
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Public Health (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Medical Illustration & Informatics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Medical Illustration & Informatics (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Bioethics/Medical Ethics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Bioethics/Medical Ethics (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Other Health Professions
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Other Health Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Switch to a More Focused Major
Registered Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Adult Health Nurse/Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Family Practice Nurse/Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
School Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for School Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Critical Care Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Critical Care Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Clinical Nurse Leader
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Clinical Nurse Leader (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing Administration
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Nurse Anesthetist
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nurse Anesthetist (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing Science
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing Practice
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing Practice (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Geriatric Nurse/Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Nursing students in the Plains States Region
Most Focused Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region
Nursing students in the Plains States Region
Most Popular Master's Degree Online Nursing Schools
Nursing students in the Plains States Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing students with family income less than $30k in the Plains States Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing students with family income $48-$75k in the Plains States Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing students with family income exceeding $110k in the Plains States Region
Highest Paid Master's Degree Nursing Graduates in the Plains States Region
Nursing students in the Plains States Region
Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region
Nursing students in the Plains States Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
Nursing students getting aid in the Plains States Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing students with family income $30-$48k in the Plains States Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region
Nursing students with family income $75-$110k in the Plains States Region
Notes and References
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%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
Featured Nursing Schools
Request Info |
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |