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2023 Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in the Plains States Region

44 Ranked Colleges
1,518 Degrees Awarded
$119,213 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 31,555 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $69,790 and $29,947 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,518 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,829 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in nursing.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate”.

1
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Walden University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate. Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 191 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Walden University Nursing Report

2
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school handed out 171 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Full Capella University Nursing Report

3

Out of the 44 schools in the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #3 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Nursing at UMN Twin Cities

4
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Out of the 44 schools in the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Creighton University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 97 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Creighton Nursing Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Missouri State University - Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 96 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Missouri State University - Springfield

6
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 80 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full KU Nursing Report

7

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #7. Maryville University of Saint Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Maryville U

8

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #8. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Missouri - Columbia

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMKC Nursing Report

10
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 51 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Iowa

11

With a ranking of #11, The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. St. Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 44 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at The College of Saint Scholastica

12

University of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this small public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at University of Nebraska Medical Center

13

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 41 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Missouri - St Louis

13
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. Webster is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Webster University

15
Mount Marty crest
Mount Marty University
Yankton, South Dakota

Mount Marty University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #15. Mount Marty is a private not-for-profit institution located in Yankton, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Mount Marty University Nursing Report

16
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. St. Kate’s is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 28 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at St Catherine University

17
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine crest
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Rochester, Minnesota

With a ranking of #17, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. Rochester, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

18
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Winona State

18
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. UMary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMary Nursing Report

20

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Nebraska Methodist College

21
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #21. Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Nursing at Washburn University

22

Pittsburg State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. Pitt State is located in Pittsburg, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Nursing at Pitt State

23
Augsburg crest
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Augsburg University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. Augsburg is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Nursing at Augsburg

23

Fort Hays State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Nursing at Fort Hays State University

25

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #25. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at North Dakota State University

25

Bryan College of Health Sciences ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Doctorate list. Bryan College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences

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