2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing practice students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among nursing practice schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $107,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,250. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $98,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $132,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,826. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $107,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $82,109. That is a strong return on a $22,791 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,578 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $93,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best values for nursing practice. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $20,500. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $105,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $34,866. Nursing Practice graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $77,596 early in their careers. Set against $34,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Dakota ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,792. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $153,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #10 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,754 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $97,582. That is a strong return on a $30,754 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Clarkson College earned the #11 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,289 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $99,917. Set against $31,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.
St Catherine University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $32,610. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $89,336. That is a strong return on a $32,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $92,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $32,298 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $71,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,362 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $80,755. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $103,656. That is a strong return on a $29,881 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #17 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,811. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,368. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
William Penn University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,341. Nursing Practice graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,276. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $68,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augsburg College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,441 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $104,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $84,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
College Of Saint Benedict placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,756. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $75,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,778. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $94,855. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $84,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
Creighton University placed #25 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $96,152. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing practice:
Narrow Nursing Practice Schools by State
More Nursing Practice Rankings
View All Nursing Practice Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
