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by our College Data Analytics Team
In 2021-2022, 5,415,716 nursing students received their bachelor's degree, making the major the #2 most popular in the country. Out of all those awarded degrees, 367,133 went to undergraduates in the Plains States region of the United States.
For this year's Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region ranking, we looked at 103 colleges that offer a bachelor's in nursing. When talking about the 'best value', we do not simply mean those with the lowest price. For this ranking, we are identifying those nursing schools that provide their students with a hiqh quality education at a price that is lower than other colleges and universities of the same caliber.
When calculating average cost, we take tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other related expenses into account. We then subtract the average financial aid award. The is meant to give you an idea of how much money you'll need to pay out-of-pocket through loans, external scholarships, or other methods. Your cost may be different from the average one, depending on your income and other factors.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nursing Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Colleges for the Money.
The #2 spot in this year's ranking belongs to South Dakota State University. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Brookings. South Dakota State excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list.
The average student at South Dakota State graduates in less than 4.4 years, and it costs about $20,337 per year to attend the school. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State is $89,483. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
Read full report on Nursing at South Dakota State University
Our rankings recognize Clarkson College as the #3 school in this year's rankings. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In addition to its great value ranking, Clarkson College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list.
The average student at Clarkson College graduates in less than 4.0 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $19,339. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Clarkson College is $77,356. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
University of North Dakota landed the #4 spot in our 2024 rankings for best value nursing schools. UND is a fairly large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. UND also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
It takes about 4.6 years for the average student at UND to complete their degree, and it costs about $22,664 per year to attend the school. This means that the average student pays around $103,348 to get a bachelor’s degree from UND. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Winona State University landed the #5 spot in our 2024 rankings for best value nursing schools. Winona State is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Winona. In addition to its great value ranking, Winona State is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list.
At Winona State, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.4 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $22,155. This means that the average student pays around $97,925 to get a bachelor’s degree from Winona State. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health earned the #6 spot in our 2024 rankings. Nebraska Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. On top of its placing in our value rankings, Nebraska Methodist College also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. It's in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Nebraska Methodist College is 4.3 years, and it costs about $25,745 per year to attend the school. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Nebraska Methodist College is $109,931. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
Allen College landed the #7 spot in our 2024 rankings for best value nursing schools. Allen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waterloo. In addition to its great value ranking, Allen College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Our rankings recognize University of South Dakota as the #8 school in this year's rankings. Located in the town of Vermillion, USD is a public school with a medium-sized student population. In addition to its great value ranking, USD is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list.
It takes about 4.3 years for the average student at USD to complete their degree, and it costs about $20,747 per year to attend the school. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from USD is $89,835. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Metropolitan State University earned the #9 spot in our 2024 rankings. Metro State is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
Read full report on Nursing at Metropolitan State University
The #10 spot in this year's ranking belongs to North Dakota State University - Main Campus. Located in the midsize city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public school with a fairly large student population. North Dakota State University also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. It's in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
It takes the average student at North Dakota State University about 4.5 years to graduate, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $21,672. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University be around $97,307. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Full Nursing at North Dakota State University - Main Campus Report
Learn about other programs related to Nursing that might interest you.
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Break into one of the most high-demand occupations in the nation with your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Nursing - Nursing Education
Position the next generation of nurses for success with your online MSN in Nursing Education from Southern New Hampshire University.
MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety
Ensure a safer future for healthcare with your online MSN in Healthcare Quality & Safety from Southern New Hampshire University.
Explore the best nursing schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Missouri | 3,224 |
| Minnesota | 6,914 |
| Iowa | 1,352 |
| Kansas | 1,454 |
| Nebraska | 1,229 |
| North Dakota | 589 |
| South Dakota | 814 |
One of 34 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
