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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region

128 Colleges in the Plains States Region
13,753 Bachelor's Degrees
$59,513 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #2 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after bachelor's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 128 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the most popular for nursing students pursuing a bachelor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 13,753 bachelor's degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region Your choice of school for getting your bachelor's degree in nursing matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region ranking.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality nursing program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. 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

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

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for nursing.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's 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.

19 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
2,035 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#3 Best Quality In MN

Capella University is a popular option for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing. Capella University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large city of Minneapolis. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were about 2,035 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year.

Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Capella University earn $12,887 more than the typical nursing student.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Capella University

2
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
892 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MN
#13 Best Quality In MN

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Walden University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. Walden University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the city of Minneapolis.

There were roughly 892 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the nursing major at Walden University earn $16,187 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Walden University

3
410 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
#1 Best Quality In MO

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Goldfarb School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Saint Louis. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were roughly 410 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Goldfarb School of Nursing in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually make around $54,400 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

4
364 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NE
#1 Best Quality In NE

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Nebraska Medical Center if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Omaha, UNMC is a public university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Nebraska.

There were about 364 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UNMC in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $57,700 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Nebraska Medical Center

5
313 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In SD
#2 Best Quality In SD

Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in South Dakota.

There were approximately 313 nursing students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $56,000 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from South Dakota State University

6
312 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MN
#4 Best Quality In MN

St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Duluth. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were approximately 312 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St. Scholastica in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the nursing major at The College of Saint Scholastica earn $4,587 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from The College of Saint Scholastica

7
278 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NE
#2 Best Quality In NE

Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Nebraska.

There were about 278 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Creighton in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $61,300 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Creighton University

8
Rockhurst crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO
269 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MO
#4 Best Quality In MO

Located in the large city of Kansas City, Rockhurst is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were about 269 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $59,200.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Rockhurst University

9
248 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MN
#6 Best Quality In MN

Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were about 248 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Winona State in the most recent data year.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Winona State University earn a boost of around $4,187 over the typical income of nursing majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Winona State University

10
238 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In SD
#4 Best Quality In SD

USD is a medium-sized public university located in the distant town of Vermillion. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in South Dakota.

There were about 238 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $55,900 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of South Dakota

11
229 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MN
#9 Best Quality In MN

Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Mankato. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Minnesota.

There were approximately 229 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State Mankato in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University - Mankato make $6,487 more than the typical nursing graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Minnesota State University - Mankato

12
216 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MO
#29 Best Quality In MO

Located in the town of Fayette, CMU CGES is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 216 nursing students who graduated with this degree at CMU CGES in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $57,900 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies

13
215 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MO
#3 Best Quality In MO

Located in the city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were about 215 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent data year.

After graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients typically make around $55,000 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Missouri - Columbia

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
214 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IA
#3 Best Quality In IA

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Iowa.

There were roughly 214 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients generally make about $59,500 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Iowa

15
202 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In ND
#1 Best Quality In ND

Located in the midsize city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in North Dakota.

There were about 202 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $61,000.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from North Dakota State University - Main Campus

16
197 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MO
#14 Best Quality In MO

Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, UMSL is a public university with a large student population.

There were about 197 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UMSL in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients generally make about $54,700 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Missouri - St Louis

17
195 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In KS
#2 Best Quality In KS

MNU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Olathe. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Kansas.

There were roughly 195 nursing students who graduated with this degree at MNU in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program report average early career income of $58,400.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from MidAmerica Nazarene University

18
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO
192 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In MO
#2 Best Quality In MO

Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Missouri.

There were about 192 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at SLU in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $58,000 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Saint Louis University

18
192 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In KS
#1 Best Quality In KS

Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in Kansas.

There were roughly 192 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent data year.

After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually make about $57,500 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of Kansas

Honorable Mentions

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

RankCollegeLocation
25Chamberlain University - MissouriSt. Louis, MO
20Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines, IA
21Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MO
22Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied HealthOmaha, NE
23Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN
24University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO
25Chamberlain University - MissouriSt. Louis, MO

Best Nursing Colleges by State

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

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Missouri2173,192
Minnesota2104,783
Iowa1931,230
Kansas1751,475
Nebraska1741,167
South Dakota142797
North Dakota141582

View All Rankings >

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

Nursing Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
Registered Nursing12,924
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing635
Nursing Practice106
Nursing Administration82
Nursing Science6

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services1,443
Health Sciences & Services1,323
Allied Health Professions1,087
Communication Sciences828
Public Health649
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences460
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science364
Dental Support Services284
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions230
Mental & Social Health Services224

Notes and References

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