2026 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Family Practice Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/family-practice-nurse-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for family practice nurse/nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family practice nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among family practice nurse/nursing schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family practice nurse/nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $53,079. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in family practice nurse/nursing will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #3. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,581 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $84,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Clarkson College one of the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Students borrow a median of $31,289 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Clarkson College generally make around $99,917. That is a strong return on a $31,289 median debt. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #5 place for family practice nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $105,103. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $30,500. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $88,835 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #7 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $30,754. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $97,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #8 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $132,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University landed the #9 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $26,252. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $101,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $99,864. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #11 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $25,257. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $53,088. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Mary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $28,578 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $93,565 early in their careers. Set against $28,578 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #13 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Metropolitan State University landed the #14 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $35,762 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Set against $35,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $61,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Clarke University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $84,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rockhurst University earned the #17 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $87,778 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University placed #18 among the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $29,918. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $61,105. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morningside College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $39,519 in tuition and fees. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $84,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Marty College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Marty College earn a median of $152,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Saint Mary landed the #21 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,380. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $85,735. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University came in at #22 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $66,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $23,441. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $59,409. That is a strong return on a $23,441 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #24 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $60,431. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Missouri Baptist University came in at #25 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $69,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for family practice nurse/nursing this year:
Narrow Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools by State
More Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Rankings
View All Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
