2026 Best Nursing Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Nursing Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing science students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Nursing Science in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing science education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Nursing Science
University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing science. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $105,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing science from University Of Kansas
A rank of #2 makes Bellevue University one of the top schools for nursing science. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 52 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Nursing Science graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete this degree.
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Minnesota State University Mankato is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing science, ranking #3. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 18 nursing science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $90,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,257.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Minnesota State University Mankato
Walden University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. There were roughly 46 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $107,541. Students borrow a median of $32,800 to complete this degree.
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Fort Hays State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing science schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Fort Hays State University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Fort Hays State University earn around $82,486 in the first couple years of their career. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $24,726 in student loans.
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Wichita State University landed the #6 spot for nursing science this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $78,022. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans.
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Metropolitan State University came in at #7 for nursing science this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 22 nursing science students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing science degree from Metropolitan State University earn around $84,529 in the first couple years of their career. Metropolitan State University graduates carry a median of $35,762 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing science from Metropolitan State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
- 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.
