College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Nursing Practice Schools in the The Plains States Region

19 Colleges in the United States
1,073 Nursing Practice Degrees Awarded
$100,120 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing Practice degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best nursing practice schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing Practice in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing practice education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Nursing Practice

1
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

No school ranked higher than University Of Kansas this year for nursing practice. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 41 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $105,103 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Kansas

2

University Of Nebraska Medical Center is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #2. University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Omaha. About 45 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,559 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Nebraska Medical Center

3

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at Creighton University, which ranked #3. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Creighton University awarded about 22 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $96,152. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Creighton University

4
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $96,368 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Iowa

5
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at Capella University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 206 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Capella University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $107,183 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,826. Read more about the nursing practice program at Capella University

6

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $92,946 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Missouri Columbia

7

Missouri State University Springfield placed #7 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $132,297 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,631 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Missouri State University Springfield

8

University Of North Dakota placed #8 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $153,282 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,792. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of North Dakota

9

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #9 for nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $103,656 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,881. Read more about the nursing practice program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

10

The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #10 among the best nursing practice schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The College Of Saint Scholastica awarded about 53 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $94,855 early in their careers. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at The College Of Saint Scholastica

11

Washburn University came in at #11 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Washburn University earn around $98,985 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Washburn University

12

University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #12 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 34 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $107,719 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

13
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University came in at #13 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. There were roughly 383 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $107,541. Typical student debt for the program is $32,800. See the full nursing practice program report for Walden University

14
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College placed #14 among the best nursing practice schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Augsburg College graduates 52% of students within six years. About 17 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Augsburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $104,795. Augsburg College graduates carry a median of $23,441 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Augsburg College

15
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University earned the #15 position for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. St Catherine University awarded about 27 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $89,336 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,610 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for St Catherine University

16

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #16 for nursing practice this year. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. About 49% of students finish within six years. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health awarded about 23 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $80,755. Students borrow a median of $35,362 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health

17

Pittsburg State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $82,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Pittsburg State University

18
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Morningside College awarded about 16 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $84,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Morningside College

19

Columbia College Missouri ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 23 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $68,520. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Columbia College Missouri

View All Nursing Practice Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options