2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Nursing Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing science students.
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2027 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
Fort Hays State University tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $24,726. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $82,486. That is a strong return on a $24,726 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $78,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $107,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for nursing science. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $100,122. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #5 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $22,791. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $82,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Winona State University landed the #6 spot for nursing science value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,252 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University earned the #7 position for value in nursing science this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $35,762 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $84,529. Set against $35,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Kansas came in at #8 for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing science program here. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $105,103. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #9 among the best values for nursing science. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $25,257. Nursing Science graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $90,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Iowa earned the #10 position for value in nursing science this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,368. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Walden University landed the #11 spot for nursing science value this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $32,800 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Walden University earn a median of $107,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
