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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

175 Ranked Colleges
31,555 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 31,555 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $69,790 and $29,947 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 175 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 414 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $8,609 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Nursing Report

2
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 254 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UMSL also did well on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,324 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMSL.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Missouri - St Louis

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 58 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,257 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MCC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at MCC

4
Dodge City Community College crest
Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, Kansas

Out of the 175 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Dodge City Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Dodge City Community College is a public institution located in Dodge City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,824 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dodge City Community College.

Read more about Nursing at Dodge City Community College

5
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St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Charles Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cottleville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 80 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,536 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Charles Community College.

Full St Charles Community College Nursing Report

6

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $6,388 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Nursing at Western Iowa Tech Community College

7
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 168 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $13,151 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at UND

8

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 285 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,386 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Mizzou

9
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Crowder College
Neosho, Missouri

Crowder College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Neosho, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Crowder College is $4,335 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Crowder College Nursing Report

10
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Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, South Dakota

Oglala Lakota College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Kyle, South Dakota, and it awarded 14 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oglala Lakota College is $1,913 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Oglala Lakota College Nursing Report

11
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #11, Saint Louis Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 204 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,142 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Louis Community College

12
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 275 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,963 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Winona State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Winona State

13

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 351 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $13,751 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at UMKC

14
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $8,898 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Truman State

15

State Fair Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. State Fair Community College is located in Sedalia, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,195 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend State Fair Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at State Fair Community College

16
Garden City Community College crest
Garden City Community College
Garden City, Kansas

Garden City Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Garden City Community College is a small public school situated in Garden City, Kansas. It awarded 17 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,632 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Garden City Community College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Garden City Community College

17
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 288 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $15,508 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa Nursing Report

18

Neosho County Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chanute, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,568 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Neosho County Community College.

Full Neosho County Community College Nursing Report

19

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 284 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #24 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Minnesota State Mankato

20
Hutchinson Community College crest
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, Kansas

With a ranking of #20, Hutchinson Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hutchinson Community College is a medium-sized school located in Hutchinson, Kansas that handed out 69 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Hutchinson Community College is $5,551 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Hutchinson Community College Nursing Report

21
Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, Iowa

Southeastern Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southeastern Community College is a small school located in West Burlington, Iowa that handed out 64 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $5,443 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at Southeastern Community College

22

North Dakota State College of Science came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wahpeton, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State College of Science is $8,463 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Nursing at North Dakota State College of Science

23
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Mount Marty University
Yankton, South Dakota

Mount Marty University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mount Marty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Yankton, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mount Marty, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Marty University is $15,884 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Mount Marty University Nursing Report

24

Indian Hills Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Indian Hills Community College is a public institution located in Ottumwa, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,571 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indian Hills Community College.

Full IHCC Nursing Report

25

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 219 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,735 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at North Dakota State University

Rest of the Best 27 in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 27 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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College of Saint Mary
Omaha, Nebraska
27
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Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota

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