2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 226 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $17,882 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,874. Set against $17,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,805. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,945. Set against $14,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,528 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,875. That is a strong return on a $14,528 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,667. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $21,889 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $60,330. That is a strong return on a $21,889 median debt.
St Charles Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. 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. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,249 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $16,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salina Area Technical College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,128 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area placed #9 among the best values for nursing. 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, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $71,239. That is a strong return on a $25,814 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,188 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,587. 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.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $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 earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $59,746. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $55,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
Riverland Community College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,481. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Coffeyville Community College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,677. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $62,328. Set against $17,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,935 median debt.
Oglala Lakota College came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.
Northeast Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,053 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Century College earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt.
Labette Community College placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $66,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,600. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,096. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dodge City Community College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
Narrow Nursing Schools by State
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 226 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 191 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.
