2023 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
176
Ranked Colleges
31,555
Degrees Awarded
$8,100
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
With 322,592 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 31,555 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $69,790 and $29,947 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 176 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 176 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 414 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 254 students in 2020-2021.
UMSL excels when it comes to nursing quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $9,991 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - St Louis Nursing Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. MCC is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,325 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Nursing at MCC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 288 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa also took the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $13,554 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa Nursing Report
Out of the 176 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, St Charles Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. St Charles Community College is located in Cottleville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for St Charles Community College is $2,107 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full SCC Nursing Report
University of North Dakota landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 168 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UND also took the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $12,394 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UND Nursing Report
University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 285 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mizzou has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,005 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mizzou.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Nursing at Mizzou
With a ranking of #8, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 275 students in 2020-2021.
Winona State also made our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $11,721 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Winona State Nursing Report
Dodge City Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Dodge City Community College is located in Dodge City, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Dodge City Community College is $4,498 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Dodge City Community College Nursing Report
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 351 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMKC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Nursing Report
Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,071 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.
Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Nursing Report
Saint Louis Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 204 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,179 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Louis Community College.
Read full report on Nursing at Saint Louis Community College
Crowder College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Neosho, Missouri, this small public school handed out 127 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Crowder College is $4,045 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Nursing at Crowder College
With a ranking of #14, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 284 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,692 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State Mankato Nursing Report
Oglala Lakota College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Kyle, South Dakota, and it awarded 14 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $1,684 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oglala Lakota College.
Read more about Nursing at Oglala Lakota College
With a ranking of #16, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 219 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at North Dakota State University
Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Truman State is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 55 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $7,208 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Truman State Nursing Report
Garden City Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Garden City Community College is a small public school situated in Garden City, Kansas. It awarded 17 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Garden City Community College is $3,934 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at Garden City Community College
Southeastern Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeastern Community College is a public institution located in West Burlington, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Southeastern Community College is $4,752 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Southeastern Community College Nursing Report
University of Kansas landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 297 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at KU
With a ranking of #21, Seward County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Liberal, Kansas, this small public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Seward County Community College is $6,789 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Nursing at Seward County Community College
Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 180 students in 2020-2021.
Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $12,381 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at Missouri State
Hutchinson Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, this medium-sized public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Hutchinson Community College is $4,975 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Hutchinson Community College Nursing Report
With a ranking of #24, Neosho County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Neosho County Community College is a small school located in Chanute, Kansas that handed out 90 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Neosho County Community College is $7,038 for plains states region nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Nursing at Neosho County Community College
North Dakota State College of Science landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State College of Science is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $7,812 for Plains States Region Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State College of Science.
Read full report on Nursing at North Dakota State College of Science
college factual
