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2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

50 Ranked Colleges
7,280 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
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.

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

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

#2

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

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.

Full University of North Dakota Nursing Report

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

#4

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota

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.

Full Mount Marty University Nursing Report

#5

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

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.

Full UMSL Nursing Report

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Minnesota State Mankato

#7

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

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.

Full Winona State University Nursing Report

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.

Full Fort Hays State University Nursing Report

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.

Full Missouri State Nursing Report

#10

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

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.

Full Pittsburg State University Nursing Report

#11

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Newman University

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

#13

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
#21 in overall quality

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.

Full Rockhurst Nursing Report

#14

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

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.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Nursing Report

#15

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota

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.

Read more about Nursing at UMary

#16

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

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

#17

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, 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

#18

Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, Missouri

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.

Read more about Nursing at Missouri Western

#19

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Louis University

#20

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

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.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Iowa

#21

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

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.

Full South Dakota State Nursing Report

#21

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

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.

Full St Catherine University Nursing Report

#23

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Wichita State University

#24

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Lindenwood University

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

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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.

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