College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

181 Ranked Colleges
31,555 Degrees Awarded
$10,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 322,592 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 181 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine crest
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Rochester, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a small school located in Rochester, Minnesota that handed out 45 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students with aid list, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

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

Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 254 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

UMSL excels when it comes to nursing quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - St Louis is $12,232 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

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 more about Nursing at University of Missouri - St Louis

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Metropolitan Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 58 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MCC is $4,315 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 MCC Nursing Report

4
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, St Charles Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. St Charles Community College is located in Cottleville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for St Charles Community College is $3,248 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Read full report on Nursing at St Charles Community College

5
Dodge City Community College crest
Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, Kansas

Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Dodge City Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Dodge City Community College is a small school located in Dodge City, Kansas that handed out 14 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Dodge City Community College is $5,914 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Read full report on Nursing at Dodge City Community College

6
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 4,027 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Capella University is $16,545 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Read full report on Nursing at Capella University

7
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, Missouri

Crowder College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Crowder College is a small public school situated in Neosho, Missouri. It awarded 127 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Crowder College is $4,761 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Read more about Nursing at Crowder College

7
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 288 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students with aid list, Iowa has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Nursing at Iowa

9
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 204 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,056 for plains states region nursing students with aid per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Louis Community College

10

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 414 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Nursing at UMN Twin Cities

11
Oglala Lakota College crest
Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, South Dakota

Oglala Lakota College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oglala Lakota College is a public institution located in Kyle, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,800 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid per year to attend Oglala Lakota College.

Read full report on Nursing at Oglala Lakota College

12

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 81 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $8,309 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Nursing Report

13

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 351 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for plains states region nursing students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Nursing Report

14
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #14, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 275 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,634 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Winona State University

15

Seward County Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Liberal, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Seward County Community College is $6,789 for plains states region nursing students with aid.

Read more about Nursing at Seward County Community College

16
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #16, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 168 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $16,966 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of North Dakota

17

State Fair Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sedalia, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend State Fair Community College is $6,607 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Read full report on Nursing at State Fair Community College

18
Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, Southeastern Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southeastern Community College is a public institution located in West Burlington, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $7,005 for plains states region nursing students with aid.

Read full report on Nursing at Southeastern Community College

19

Neosho County Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

The yearly cost to attend Neosho County Community College is $8,100 for plains states region nursing students with aid.

Full Neosho County Community College Nursing Report

20

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 284 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Minnesota State University - Mankato

21

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 285 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,559 for plains states region nursing students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Mizzou

22
Hutchinson Community College crest
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, Kansas

Hutchinson Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hutchinson Community College is a medium-sized school located in Hutchinson, Kansas that handed out 69 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,969 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid per year to attend Hutchinson Community College.

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%.

Read full report on Nursing at Hutchinson Community College

23

With a ranking of #23, Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $6,966 for plains states region nursing students with aid.

Full Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Nursing Report

24

Southeast Community College Area landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southeast Community College is a medium-sized school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 61 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,190 for plains states region nursing students with aid per year to attend Southeast Community College Area.

Read more about Nursing at Southeast Community College

25
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, Nebraska

Central Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Community College is a public institution located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Community College is $8,069 for Plains States Region Nursing students with aid.

Full Central Community College Nursing Report

Rest of the Best 28 in Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28

Switch to a Similar Major

Health Sciences & Services
Best Value Colleges for Health Sciences & Services in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Communication Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Communication Sciences in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences
Best Value Colleges for Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Health & Medical Administrative Services
Best Value Colleges for Health & Medical Administrative Services in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Allied Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Allied Health Professions in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Health/Medical Prep Programs
Best Value Colleges for Health/Medical Prep Programs in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Medical Science
Best Value Colleges for Medical Science in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Optometry
Best Value Colleges for Optometry in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Public Health
Best Value Colleges for Public Health in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Medical Illustration & Informatics
Best Value Colleges for Medical Illustration & Informatics in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Bioethics/Medical Ethics
Best Value Colleges for Bioethics/Medical Ethics in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services
Best Value Colleges for Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Other Health Professions
Best Value Colleges for Other Health Professions in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

Switch to a More Focused Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options