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2023 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

171 Ranked Colleges
25,853 Degrees Awarded
$8,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 266,651 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, registered nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 25,853 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 171 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent registered nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 236 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $7,698 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 208 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

UMSL excels when it comes to registered nursing quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $9,991 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Registered Nursing at University of Missouri - St Louis

3

Out of the 171 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. MCC is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend MCC is $3,325 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Metropolitan Community College Registered Nursing Report

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 215 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Iowa Registered Nursing Report

5
SCC crest
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 Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SCC is located in Cottleville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $2,107 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SCC.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at St Charles Community College

6
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 167 students in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #12 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $12,394 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full UND Registered Nursing Report

7
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #7, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 230 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,721 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k 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 full report on Registered Nursing at Winona State University

8

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 285 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 Registered Nursing at Mizzou

9
Dodge City Community College crest
Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, Kansas

Dodge City Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. 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.

The yearly cost to attend Dodge City Community College is $4,498 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Dodge City Community College Registered Nursing Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 266 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #21 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,692 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Registered Nursing Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,071 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Western Iowa Tech Community College

12

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 273 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMKC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Registered Nursing Report

13
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 204 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $6,179 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saint Louis Community College Registered Nursing Report

14
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, Missouri

Crowder College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Neosho, Missouri, and it awarded 127 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Crowder College is $4,045 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Crowder College

15
Oglala Lakota College crest
Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, South Dakota

Oglala Lakota College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Kyle, South Dakota, and it awarded 14 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oglala Lakota College is $1,684 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Oglala Lakota College

16

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 203 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,835 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at North Dakota State University

17
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,208 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Truman State Registered Nursing Report

18
Garden City Community College crest
Garden City Community College
Garden City, Kansas

Garden City Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Garden City, Kansas, this small public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,934 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Garden City Community College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Garden City Community College

19
Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, Iowa

Southeastern Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in West Burlington, Iowa, this small public school awarded 64 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $4,752 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Southeastern Community College

20

Seward County Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Liberal, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Seward County Community College is $6,789 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SCCC Registered Nursing Report

21
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 204 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $15,666 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at KU

22
Hutchinson Community College crest
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, Kansas

Hutchinson Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hutchinson Community College is a public institution located in Hutchinson, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,975 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hutchinson Community College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full Hutchinson Community College Registered Nursing Report

23

Neosho County Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Neosho County Community College is a small school located in Chanute, Kansas that handed out 90 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Neosho County Community College is $7,038 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Neosho County Community College Registered Nursing Report

24
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #24, Capella University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 3,223 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University also took the #2 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,410 for plains states region registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Capella University.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Capella University

25

North Dakota State College of Science came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State College of Science is a small public school situated in Wahpeton, North Dakota. It awarded 40 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,812 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State College of Science.

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

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, Nebraska

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