Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

104 Ranked Colleges
13,753 Degrees Awarded
$59,513 Avg Salary
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 313,362 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 13,753 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 104 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also cost less that 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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 Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#1

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, Nebraska

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Saint Mary. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. College of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 57 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Mary is $12,206 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Nursing at College of Saint Mary

#2

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 104 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the #2 spot on the list. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,035 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Capella University also took the #4 spot in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

Full Capella University Nursing Report

#3

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 104 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #3 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s nursing degrees to 130 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,556 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UMN Twin Cities Nursing Report

#4

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 104 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 50 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,031 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State Nursing Report

#5

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 104 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, St Olaf College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 22 degrees to qualified bachelors’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,577 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend St. Olaf.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Olaf Nursing Report

#7 in overall quality

Iowa State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified bachelors’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $14,161 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Iowa State

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 215 degrees to qualified bachelors’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,145 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Nursing at Mizzou

#8

Minot State University

Minot, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, Minot State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minot State University is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 bachelors’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,401 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MSU.

Read full report on Nursing at MSU

#9

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #9, Winona State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s nursing degrees to 248 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $15,140 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Winona State University

#10

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 197 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $7,894 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Nursing at UMSL

#11

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s nursing degrees to 99 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $13,373 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Cloud State University

With a ranking of #12, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 229 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,451 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Minnesota State Mankato

Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 43 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $13,988 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Nursing at Southwest Minnesota State University

#14

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 120 degrees to qualified bachelors’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #18 spot in our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,109 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UND.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 UND

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 202 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University also made our “Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $15,686 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 North Dakota State University

#16

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend DSU is $9,119 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Nursing at DSU

Fort Hays State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 142 bachelors’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,549 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fort Hays State University.

Read full report on Nursing at FHSU

#18

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 269 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Rockhurst University is $19,220 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Rockhurst University Nursing Report

#19

Mayville State University

Mayville, North Dakota

Mayville State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Mayville, North Dakota, and it awarded 46 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mayville State University is $13,323 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Mayville State University Nursing Report

Missouri Southern State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s nursing degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri Southern is $10,124 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Nursing at Missouri Southern

#21

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Bemidji State University is a small school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 150 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $14,001 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Bemidji State University Nursing Report

#22

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Mary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 94 bachelors’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UMary is $14,382 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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%.

Full UMary Nursing Report

#23

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #23, St Catherine University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 148 degrees to qualified bachelors’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend St. Kate’s is $17,062 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at St Catherine University

#24

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

With a ranking of #24, Pittsburg State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pittsburg State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Pittsburg, Kansas. It awarded 120 bachelors’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Pitt State is $15,056 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Nursing at Pittsburg State University

#25

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #25, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 bachelors’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $12,882 for plains states region bachelor’s degree nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Nursing at Southeast Missouri State University

Switch to a Similar Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Nursing Schools

Find Schools Near You