2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 197 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in nursing in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $17,882 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $68,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,882 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #2. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,805. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $64,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at St Charles Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $18,712 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $68,488. That is a strong return on a $18,712 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for nursing. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,889 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $60,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,889 median debt.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,128. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $16,249 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,667 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $68,262 early in their careers. Set against $16,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Labette Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Labette Community College earn a median of $66,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $22,597 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,214. Set against $22,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $61,192. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $59,746. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,188. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. Students borrow a median of $17,587 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $67,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,587 median debt.
Coffeyville Community College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,677. Nursing graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $62,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Students borrow a median of $14,528 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $62,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,814. Nursing graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $71,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,814 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Students borrow a median of $17,490 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $65,883. That is a strong return on a $17,490 median debt.
Dodge City Community College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Jefferson College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,554 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,439. Set against $22,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College placed #20 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $19,053 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. Set against $19,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $69,481 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Nursing graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $57,521 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Garden City Community College earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $61,593 early in their careers. Set against $16,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,935 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $61,954 early in their careers. Set against $17,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,832 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $55,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
Narrow Nursing Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 197 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 197 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.
