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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region

33 Ranked Colleges
1,534 Degrees Awarded
$16,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 313,362 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 33 colleges that offer a degree in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great nursing programs and 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region.

Top 28 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region

#1

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mount Marty University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mount Marty, the school also landed the #6 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 Mount Marty University are $8,175.

Full Mount Marty Nursing Report

#2

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Winona State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students list, Winona State has also earned the #11 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Winona State University Nursing Report

#3

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the #3 spot on the list. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 173 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Capella University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 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 Capella University are $14,767.

Read full report on Nursing at Capella University

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, The College of Saint Scholastica landed the #4 spot on the list. The College of Saint Scholastica is a small school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 67 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Scholastica also took the #5 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 St. Scholastica are $15,502.

Read full report on Nursing at St. Scholastica

#24 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. 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.

Minnesota State Mankato also took 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 Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Nursing Report

#5

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Creighton University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Creighton University is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Creighton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Creighton are $18,528, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Creighton University Nursing Report

#6

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, Walden University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 221 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students list, Walden University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Walden University

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 73 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Nursing Report

With a ranking of #8, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589.

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

#21 in overall quality

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Nebraska Methodist College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Nebraska Methodist College are $12,438, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Nebraska Methodist College

#10

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#16 in overall quality

South Dakota State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State also took the #16 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 South Dakota State are $16,743.

Full South Dakota State Nursing Report

#11

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree nursing students list, Maryville U has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Maryville U are $15,696, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at Maryville University of Saint Louis

#12

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
#17 in overall quality

University of Mary ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it awarded 30 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UMary also took the #17 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMary are $17,861, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Mary Nursing Report

#13

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 19 doctorate’s nursing degrees 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Nursing at UND

#14

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#22 in overall quality

Augsburg University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

Augsburg also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Augsburg University are $13,165, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at Augsburg University

#15

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa

Briar Cliff University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. Briar Cliff is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 9 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 Briar Cliff University are $10,530.

Read full report on Nursing at Briar Cliff

#16

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Kate’s is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 25 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 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 St Catherine University are $17,400.

Read more about Nursing at St Catherine University

#17

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster University are $13,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Webster

#18

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#7 in overall quality

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at KU

#19

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. SLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Louis University Nursing Report

With a ranking of #20, Bryan College of Health Sciences did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Bryan College of Health Sciences also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bryan College of Health Sciences are $24,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences

University of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. UNMC is a small public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 49 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UNMC also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska Medical Center are $26,961.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Nebraska Medical Center

#21

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

With a ranking of #21, Mount Mercy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Mount Mercy are $10,870, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Mount Mercy University

#22

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa

With a ranking of #22, Clarke University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Clarke University is located in Dubuque, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 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 Clarke University are $12,119.

Read more about Nursing at Clarke

#23

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 111 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Nursing at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

With a ranking of #24, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region list. Fort Hays State University is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fort Hays State University are $11,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Nursing at FHSU

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for a Doctorate in the Plains States Region ranking. Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Goldfarb School of Nursing are $10,872, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Nursing at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

#25

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 ranking, coming in at #25. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Iowa Nursing Report

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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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