2027 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools.
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2027 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $107,719. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Winona State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $26,252. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $101,220. That is a strong return on a $26,252 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,250. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $98,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #5 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $100,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,792 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #7 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,754 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $97,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Clarkson College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,289. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $99,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
St Catherine University placed #9 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,610 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $89,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,610 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $99,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #11 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Students borrow a median of $29,881 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $103,656. Set against $29,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Mount Marty College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Marty College earn a median of $152,247 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Iowa placed #13 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. 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 psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $24,811. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $96,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University landed the #14 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,918. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $61,105. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $84,374. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Clarke University came in at #16 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,910. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $53,450. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarke University admits about 72% of applicants.
Rockhurst University earned the #17 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,966. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $70,849. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #18 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $60,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University came in at #19 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $96,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University landed the #20 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,067. Students borrow a median of $32,800 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $107,541. That is a strong return on a $32,800 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
