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2022 Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region

101 Colleges in the Plains States Region
6,381 Associate Degrees
$50,573 Avg Early-Career Salary
Nursing is of the hottest associate degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #2 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 101 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 6,381 associate degrees in nursing to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Associate Degree

Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region The nursing associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of nursing students usually has them for a reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing
Overall Popularity in Nursing

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for nursing.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

15 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Associate

1
662 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#1 Best Quality In MN

Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a popular option for individuals interested in an associate degree in nursing. Located in the small city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were approximately 662 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Minnesota in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Rasmussen University - Minnesota earn $4,127 more than the average nursing student.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Minnesota

2
184 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IA
#3 Best Quality In IA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Des Moines Area Community College if you want to pursue an associate degree in nursing. DMACC is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Ankeny. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Iowa.

There were roughly 184 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at DMACC in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $50,300.

More information about a associate in nursing from Des Moines Area Community College

3
182 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
#2 Best Quality In MO

Saint Louis Community College is a popular option for students pursuing an associate degree in nursing. Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, Saint Louis Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were roughly 182 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year we have data available.

Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $51,300 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a associate in nursing from Saint Louis Community College

4
162 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MN
#3 Best Quality In MN

Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a popular choice for students interested in an associate degree in nursing. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were about 162 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Anoka-Ramsey Community College earn $4,327 more than the average nursing grad.

More information about a associate in nursing from Anoka-Ramsey Community College

5
142 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IA
#6 Best Quality In IA

Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public college located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Iowa.

There were approximately 142 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients generally earn around $47,900 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in nursing from Kirkwood Community College

6
138 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In ND
#1 Best Quality In ND

Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a small private for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Fargo. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in North Dakota.

There were approximately 138 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - North Dakota in the most recent year we have data available.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - North Dakota earn a boost of around $4,127 above the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - North Dakota

7
136 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MO
#4 Best Quality In MO

Located in the distant town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were roughly 136 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Baptist University in the most recent data year.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $47,200 for their early career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Southwest Baptist University

8
132 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MO
#3 Best Quality In MO

MCC is a large public college located in the large city of Kansas City. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were about 132 nursing students who graduated with this degree at MCC in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $51,000.

More information about a associate in nursing from Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City

9
122 Annual Associate Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KS
#19 Best Quality In KS

Rasmussen University - Kansas is a fairly small private for-profit university located in the rural area of Topeka.

There were roughly 122 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Kansas in the most recent data year.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Kansas receive an earnings boost of around $4,127 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Kansas

10
119 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IA
#8 Best Quality In IA

Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the city of Council Bluffs. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Iowa.

There were roughly 119 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $46,900 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in nursing from Iowa Western Community College

11
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN
118 Annual Associate Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MN
#4 Best Quality In MN

Century College is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were roughly 118 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a associate in nursing from Century College

12
116 Annual Associate Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KS
#6 Best Quality In KS

Butler CC is a medium-sized public college located in the town of El Dorado. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Kansas.

There were approximately 116 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Butler CC in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, nursing associate recipients usually make an average of $47,900 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Butler Community College

12
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO
116 Annual Associate Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MO
#6 Best Quality In MO

Crowder College is a small public college located in the town of Neosho. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were roughly 116 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Crowder College in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients generally earn around $43,900 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in nursing from Crowder College

14
114 Annual Associate Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MN
#2 Best Quality In MN

Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community and Technical College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for associate degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were approximately 114 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Community and Technical College in the most recent year we have data available.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Rochester Community and Technical College receive an earnings boost of around $9,027 above the typical income of nursing graduates.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rochester Community and Technical College

15
103 Annual Associate Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IA
#12 Best Quality In IA

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Davenport.

There were approximately 103 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges in the most recent data year.

After graduation, nursing associate recipients generally make an average of $51,400 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Eastern Iowa Community College District

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Associate Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region award.

RankCollegeLocation
16Lake Superior CollegeDuluth, MN
16North Central Missouri CollegeTrenton, MO
18Neosho County Community CollegeChanute, KS
19Central Community CollegeGrand Island, NE
20Cox CollegeSpringfield, MO
21Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City, IA
21Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmar, IA
23Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolis, MN
24Ridgewater CollegeWillmar, MN
25Inver Hills Community CollegeInver Grove Heights, MN

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the most popular nursing colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Minnesota1472,251
Kansas145874
Missouri1151,296
Iowa1051,181
Nebraska96312
South Dakota90111
North Dakota87245

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
Registered Nursing6,322
Nursing Practice59

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Allied Health Professions1,941
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services1,240
Health & Medical Administrative Services952
Dental Support Services669
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science260
Health Sciences & Services255
Health/Medical Prep Programs190
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services115
Mental & Social Health Services103
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants95

Notes and References

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