2026 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing science students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #1 spot for value among nursing science schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $100,122. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $107,719. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,726 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $82,486 early in their careers. Set against $24,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for nursing science. 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, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $105,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $78,022. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Winona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,252 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $53,109. That is a strong return on a $26,252 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #7 for value in nursing science this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $90,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. 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 science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $82,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $35,762 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $84,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,762 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #10 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University came in at #11 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
