2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region
89
Ranked Colleges
6,262
Degrees Awarded
$53,948
Avg Salary
With all of the options veterans have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 6,262 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,723 and $22,140 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate” ranking analyzed 89 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate”.
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. 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.
Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate”.
Top 26 Best Nursing Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region
Out of the 89 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College landed the #1 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.
Columbia College Missouri also made our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6.According to our most recent data, Columbia College supports 8,347 students, and 6 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $750. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Columbia College Missouri]](/colleges/columbia-college-missouri/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. This small school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 105 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rasmussen University - North Dakota, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 628 students enrolled at Rasmussen University - North Dakota, 23 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 13 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,620. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Rasmussen University - North Dakota]](/colleges/rasmussen-college-north-dakota/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa Western Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate. Iowa Western Community College is a public institution located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 146 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa Western Community College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 5,791 students enrolled at Iowa Western Community College, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $583. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Iowa Western Community College Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 81 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Iowa Tech Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 5,360 students enrolled at Western Iowa Tech Community College, 117 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 51 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,455. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Western Iowa Tech Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mercy College of Health Sciences. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 45 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mercy College of Health Sciences also made our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4.Among the 869 students enrolled at Mercy College of Health Sciences, 46 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 23 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,698. In addition to receiving other benefits, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Mercy College of Health Sciences Veteran Student Life Report
Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking, coming in at #6. LATI is a small public school situated in Watertown, South Dakota. It awarded 26 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at LATI, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 2,217 students enrolled at LATI, 136 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,486. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
With a ranking of #7, Century College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Century College is a medium-sized public school situated in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It awarded 108 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Century College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 197 of the 8,203 students enrolled at Century College were GI Bill® students, of which 135 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,525. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Century College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Century College]](/colleges/century-college/student-life/veterans/)
Southwest Baptist University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree vets studying nursing list, Southwest Baptist University has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, Southwest Baptist University supports 3,039 students, and 73 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 27 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,266. During this same period, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Southwest Baptist University offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Southwest Baptist University]](/colleges/southwest-baptist-university/student-life/veterans/)
Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking, coming in at #9. Minnesota State Community and Technical College is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
According to our most recent data, M State supports 5,757 students, and 59 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 23 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,349. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Minnesota State Community and Technical College Veteran Student Life Report
Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking, coming in at #10. Coon Rapids, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 151 students in 2020-2021.
According to our most recent data, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus supports 8,482 students, and 148 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 85 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,042. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Saint Louis Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 204 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree vets studying nursing list, Saint Louis Community College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 15,206 students enrolled at Saint Louis Community College, 16 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 10 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,111. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Saint Louis Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
Lake Superior College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. This small school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 112 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the 4,762 students enrolled at LSC, 173 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 97 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,648. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Lake Superior College]](/colleges/lake-superior-college/student-life/veterans/)
Inver Hills Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Inver Hills Community College is a public institution located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 89 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IHCC also made our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25.Our most recent data shows that 98 of the 4,071 students enrolled at Inver Hills Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 48 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,371. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Inver Hills Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
With a ranking of #14, Southeast Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Southeast Tech is a small public school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 56 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Southeast Tech also made our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20.Of the 2,330 students enrolled at Southeast Technical College, 193 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 86 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,618. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Southeast Technical College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Southeast Technical College Veteran Student Life Report
Northland Community and Technical College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. Northland Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 65 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Northland Community and Technical College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Of the 2,962 students enrolled at Northland Community and Technical College, 24 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 17 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,243. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Northland Community and Technical College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
With a ranking of #16, North Dakota State College of Science did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. North Dakota State College of Science is a small school located in Wahpeton, North Dakota that handed out 40 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State College of Science did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Of the 2,829 students enrolled at North Dakota State College of Science, 48 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 15 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,864. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. North Dakota State College of Science does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full North Dakota State College of Science Veteran Student Life Report
State Fair Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. This small school is located in Sedalia, Missouri, and it awarded 52 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the 3,928 students enrolled at State Fair Community College, 32 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,981. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full State Fair Community College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #18, Johnson County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 47 degrees to qualified associates’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
According to our most recent data, JCCC supports 13,891 students, and 389 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 221 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,331. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
With a ranking of #19, Hibbing Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Hibbing, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.
Among the 913 students enrolled at Hibbing Community College, 36 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 17 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,177. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 166 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.According to our most recent data, Des Moines Area Community College supports 23,051 students, and 500 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 221 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,709. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
With a ranking of #21, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified associates’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
Of the 13,244 students enrolled at Metropolitan Community College, 653 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 283 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $835. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Metropolitan Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Ridgewater College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. Ridgewater College is located in Willmar, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ridgewater College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, Ridgewater College supports 3,176 students, and 38 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 25 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,506. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 38 associates’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest Iowa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Of the 1,666 students enrolled at Northwest Iowa Community College, 36 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 23 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,961. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 Northwest Iowa Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. Rochester Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Rochester, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 111 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rochester Community and Technical College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, Rochester Community and Technical College supports 5,115 students, and 163 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 67 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,891. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Rochester Community and Technical College Veteran Student Life Report
Minneapolis Community and Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Nursing for an Associate ranking. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 90 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.
According to our most recent data, Minneapolis Community and Technical College supports 6,429 students, and 127 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 96 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,795. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Minneapolis Community and Technical College]](/colleges/minneapolis-community-and-technical-college/student-life/veterans/)
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