2027 Best Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 207 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing in the The Plains States Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Nursing
Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Minnesota the best school in the country for a degree in nursing. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
See the full nursing program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 363 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $87,395 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Saint Johns University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Johns University awarded about 11 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,646 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Saint Johns University
University Of Kansas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 275 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $105,103 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Kansas
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska Medical Center one of the top schools for nursing. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 450 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Medical Center generally make around $96,559. University Of Nebraska Medical Center graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Nebraska Medical Center
Creighton University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 337 nursing degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $96,152 in their early career. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Creighton University
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. About 242 nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $84,374 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the nursing program at Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Iowa placed #8 among the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 311 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $96,368 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,811.
Get the full nursing details for University Of Iowa
Capella University earned the #9 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. Capella University awarded about 10,589 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Capella University earn around $107,183 in the first couple years of their career. Capella University graduates carry a median of $27,826 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Capella University
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 358 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $92,946. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Winona State University placed #11 among the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 288 nursing degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $101,220 early in their careers. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $26,252 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Winona State University
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 281 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $132,297 in their early career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Missouri State University Springfield
University Of North Dakota placed #13 among the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. About 226 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $153,282 in their early career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,792 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of North Dakota
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #14 for nursing this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 451 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $90,983 early in their careers. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Minnesota State University Mankato
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Concordia University Saint Paul awarded about 393 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $73,235. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates carry a median of $36,940 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Concordia University Saint Paul
Rockhurst University earned the #16 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 273 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $87,778. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in nursing from Rockhurst University
Central Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. About 66 nursing degrees were awarded at Central Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Central Community College earn around $64,945 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,805.
Read more about the nursing program at Central Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Metropolitan Community College Area awarded about 89 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $68,874 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,882.
Read more about the nursing program at Metropolitan Community College Area
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn around $156,340 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $40,188 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #20 position for nursing this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 61 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #21 position for nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. Maryville University Of Saint Louis awarded about 719 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $103,656 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,881 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Maryville University Of Saint Louis
The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #22 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The College Of Saint Scholastica awarded about 285 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $94,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for The College Of Saint Scholastica
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #23 position for nursing this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. There were roughly 126 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $70,020 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Rochester Community And Technical College
Iowa State University placed #24 among the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 13 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Iowa State University earn around $54,204 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Iowa State University
Washburn University earned the #25 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 161 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $98,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Washburn University
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for nursing:
- #51 — Bemidji State University · Bemidji, MN
- #52 — St Olaf College · Northfield, MN
- #53 — Midamerica Nazarene University · Olathe, KS
- #54 — Mount Marty College · Yankton, SD
- #55 — Augustana College South Dakota · Sioux Falls, SD
- #56 — Saint Ambrose University · Davenport, IA
- #57 — Mount Mercy University · Cedar Rapids, IA
- #58 — Crowder College · Neosho, MO
- #59 — Hutchinson Community College · Hutchinson, KS
- #60 — Century College · White Bear Lake, MN
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 207 schools evaluated.
- 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.