by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 6,290 associate degrees in registered nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Your choice of registered nursing for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality registered nursing program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for registered nursing students working on their associate degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in registered nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of St. Cloud.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Rasmussen University - Minnesota
It's difficult to beat Rasmussen University - North Dakota if you wish to pursue an associate degree in registered nursing. Located in the medium-sized city of Fargo, Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a private for-profit university with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Rochester Community and Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public college located in the medium-sized city of Rochester.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Rochester Community and Technical College
It's difficult to beat Minneapolis Community and Technical College if you want to pursue an associate degree in registered nursing. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public college located in the large city of Minneapolis.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Neosho County Community College
Located in the remote town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community and Technical College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Northland Community and Technical College
Located in the suburb of Ankeny, DMACC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Des Moines Area Community College
Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler CC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Butler Community College
Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Century College
NTC is a fairly small public college located in the remote town of Bemidji.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Northwest Technical College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a medium-sized public college located in the suburb of Coon Rapids.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Anoka-Ramsey Community College
LATI is a small public school located in the town of Watertown.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Lake Area Technical Institute
Ridgewater College is a small public college located in the remote town of Willmar.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Ridgewater College
Located in the medium-sized city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Tech is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southeast Technical College
Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from North Hennepin Community College
Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southeastern Community College
Iowa Central Community College is a small public college located in the remote town of Fort Dodge.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Iowa Central Community College
Hibbing Community College is a small public college located in the town of Hibbing.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Hibbing Community College
LSC is a small public college located in the city of Duluth.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Lake Superior College
Here are some additional great schools for Registered Nursing students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Cox College | Springfield, MO |
| 21 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City, IA |
| 22 | St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud, MN |
| 23 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA |
| 24 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd | Brainerd, MN |
| 25 | Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN |
| 26 | Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS |
| 27 | Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton, MO |
| 28 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN |
| 29 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines, IA |
| 30 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS |
| 31 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA |
Explore the best registered nursing colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 299 | 2,167 |
| Kansas | 275 | 868 |
| Missouri | 210 | 1,347 |
| Iowa | 200 | 1,152 |
| Nebraska | 163 | 265 |
| South Dakota | 148 | 114 |
| North Dakota | 144 | 287 |
One of 23 majors within the Nursing area of study, Registered Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing Practice | 49 |
