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

67 Ranked Colleges
7,288 Degrees Awarded
$97,335 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master's

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 322,592 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 7,288 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $55,401 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s” ranking analyzed 67 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular nursing programs in the United States.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Master’s”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Master’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree nursing students.

1
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Walden University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Walden University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 4,104 masters’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Walden University Nursing Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 839 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Maryville U Nursing Report

3
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 #3 for the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s. Capella University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 643 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Nursing at Capella University

4

Out of the 67 schools in the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Lamoni, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 176 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Nursing at Graceland University - Lamoni

5

Out of the 67 schools in the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 168 masters’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC Nursing Report

6
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #6. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Read full report on Nursing at Saint Louis University

7

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 98 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Nursing Report

8
Clarkson College crest
Clarkson College
Omaha, Nebraska

Clarkson College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 91 masters’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Clarkson College Nursing Report

9
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Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. Webster is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 83 masters’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

10
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 81 students 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%.

Full St Catherine University Nursing Report

11
Allen College crest
Allen College
Waterloo, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, Allen College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Waterloo, Iowa, and it awarded 65 masters’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Allen College Nursing Report

12

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

13

University of Nebraska Medical Center ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. UNMC is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 57 masters’s degrees 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Nebraska Medical Center

14
Rockhurst crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 45 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Nursing at Rockhurst

15
Morningside crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, Iowa

Morningside College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s nursing degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Morningside Nursing Report

16
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 37 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full UCM Nursing Report

16
Cox College crest
Cox College
Springfield, Missouri

Cox College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. Cox College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.

Read full report on Nursing at Cox College

18
Research College of Nursing crest
Research College of Nursing
Kansas City, Missouri

Research College of Nursing ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Research College of Nursing is a private for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Nursing at Research College of Nursing

18
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

University of Mary came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. UMary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 University of Mary Nursing Report

20

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. Goldfarb School of Nursing is a small school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 33 masters’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Goldfarb School of Nursing Nursing Report

21

Nebraska Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 32 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing 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%.

Read full report on Nursing at NWU

22

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s list. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health is a small school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 29 masters’s nursing degrees 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%.

Full Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Nursing Report

23
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan 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 Master’s ranking. Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Metro State

24
Briar Cliff crest
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, Iowa

Briar Cliff University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. Briar Cliff is located in Sioux City, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 masters’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Nursing at Briar Cliff University

25
University of St. Mary crest
University of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, Kansas

University of Saint Mary came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Master’s ranking. Located in Leavenworth, Kansas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 25 degrees to qualified masters’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Saint Mary

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