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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

33 Ranked Colleges
1,534 Degrees Awarded
$18,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 313,362 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 29,923 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $66,148 and $28,004 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,534 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,701 and $106,703 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 33 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 111 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Nursing Report

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 51 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mizzou has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Nursing Report

#3

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Winona State are $12,378, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Winona State University Nursing Report

#4

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Dakota. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at University of North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

With a ranking of #6, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 63 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

UMKC also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UMKC Nursing Report

#24 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Minnesota State Mankato

#8

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#25 in overall quality

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154.

Read more about Nursing at UMSL

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 73 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Missouri State Nursing Report

#10

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Iowa

Fort Hays State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FHSU are $11,376.

Read more about Nursing at FHSU

#12

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

Mount Marty University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mount Marty University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Yankton, South Dakota. It awarded 34 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Mount Marty also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Marty are $8,175.

Full Mount Marty Nursing Report

#13

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pittsburg State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, Kansas. It awarded 16 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pitt State are $19,320.

Read more about Nursing at Pitt State

#14

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#16 in overall quality

South Dakota State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full South Dakota State Nursing Report

#15

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Topeka, Kansas, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Washburn University are $19,206, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Washburn University

#16

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Kate’s is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, St. Kate’s has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at St. Kate’s

#17

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at SLU

#18

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112.

Full WSU Nursing Report

#19

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 72 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007.

Full KU Nursing Report

#20

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#17 in overall quality

University of Mary landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bismarck, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMary, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMary are $17,861.

Full UMary Nursing Report

With a ranking of #21, The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The College of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 67 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Scholastica also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Scholastica are $15,502, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at The College of Saint Scholastica

#22

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Capella University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 173 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Capella University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Capella University Nursing Report

#23

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Metro State are $17,552.

Full Metro State Nursing Report

#24

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Augsburg University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augsburg University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augsburg, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg are $13,165, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Augsburg

#25

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #25, Webster University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Webster is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500.

Read more about Nursing at Webster University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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