by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 123 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 11,972 associate degrees in health professions during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The health professions associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality health professions program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
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.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for health professions 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 Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in health professions. 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 finest schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in health professions. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of St. Cloud.More information about a associate in health professions from Rasmussen University - Minnesota
Herzing University - Minneapolis is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in health professions. Herzing University - Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of St. Louis Park.More information about a associate in health professions from Herzing University - Minneapolis
St Catherine University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in health professions. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St. Kate's is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from St Catherine University
It is difficult to beat Rasmussen University - North Dakota if you want to pursue an associate degree in health professions. Located in the medium-sized city of Fargo, Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a private for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
National American University - Rapid City is a small private for-profit university located in the small city of Rapid City.More information about a associate in health professions from National American University - Rapid City
Rockhurst is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Kansas City.More information about a associate in health professions from Rockhurst University
Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public college located in the city of Rochester.More information about a associate in health professions from Rochester Community and Technical College
Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Washburn University
NWHSU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Bloomington.More information about a associate in health professions from Northwestern Health Sciences University
LATI is a small public school located in the town of Watertown.More information about a associate in health professions from Lake Area Technical Institute
Located in the midsize city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Tech is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Southeast Technical 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 health professions from Century College
Located in the remote town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Flint Hills Technical College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a moderately-sized public college located in the large city of Minneapolis.More information about a associate in health professions from Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Kirkwood Community College
Located in the remote town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Neosho County Community College
Located in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Clarkson College
Located in the 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 health professions from Northland Community and Technical College
Located in the distant town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Hutchinson Community College
Located in the town of Dickinson, DSU is a public university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Dickinson State University
NTC is a fairly small public college located in the remote town of Bemidji.More information about a associate in health professions from Northwest Technical College
North Dakota State College of Science is a small public college located in the town of Wahpeton.More information about a associate in health professions from North Dakota State College of Science
Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from St Cloud Technical and Community College
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN |
| 26 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA |
| 27 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE |
| 28 | Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE |
| 29 | Lake Superior College | Duluth, MN |
| 30 | North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 31 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
| 32 | Hibbing Community College | Hibbing, MN |
| 33 | Anoka-Ramsey Community College | Coon Rapids, MN |
| 34 | Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN |
| 35 | Union College Nebraska | Lincoln, NE |
| 36 | Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 37 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls, MN |
| 38 | Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN |
| 39 | Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS |
| 40 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA |
| 41 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
Explore the best health professions colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 37 | 4,140 |
| Kansas | 35 | 1,846 |
| Nebraska | 34 | 941 |
| Iowa | 33 | 1,922 |
| South Dakota | 32 | 449 |
| Missouri | 32 | 2,952 |
| North Dakota | 26 | 487 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 6,339 |
| Allied Health Professions | 1,953 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 1,074 |
| Dental Support Services | 756 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 628 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 342 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 275 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 165 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 133 |
| Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services | 74 |
