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2023 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing in the Plains States Region

179 Ranked Colleges
25,853 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

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 “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 266,651 registered nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country.

Across the Plains States region, there were 25,853 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 179 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great registered nursing programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing in the Plains States Region

1
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capella University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 3,223 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University also took the #2 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,545 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University Registered Nursing Report

2
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 179 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #2 spot on the list. Walden University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,004 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Walden University also took the #9 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Walden University

3
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 328 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $18,578 for plains states region registered nursing 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 more about Registered Nursing at South Dakota State University

4
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Out of the 179 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 230 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for plains states region registered nursing students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State Registered Nursing Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 789 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rasmussen University - Minnesota, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,075 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students per year to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Rasmussen University - Minnesota

6
Clarkson College crest
Clarkson College
Omaha, Nebraska

Clarkson College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 119 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clarkson College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Clarkson College is $18,147 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Clarkson College

7
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 167 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region registered nursing students per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Registered Nursing at University of North Dakota

8

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 203 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

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%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Registered Nursing Report

9

Neosho County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Neosho County Community College is a public institution located in Chanute, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,100 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students per year to attend Neosho County Community College.

Full Neosho County Community College Registered Nursing Report

10

Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Rochester Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Rochester, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 111 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,149 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students per year to attend Rochester Community and Technical College.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Rochester Community and Technical College

11

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 138 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region registered nursing students list, Nebraska Methodist College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health is $24,108 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

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 more about Registered Nursing at Nebraska Methodist College

12

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $8,309 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Registered Nursing Report

13

Rasmussen University - North Dakota landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a private for-profit institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rasmussen University - North Dakota is also in the top of our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota is $19,746 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Rasmussen University - North Dakota

14
Butler CC crest
Butler Community College
El Dorado, Kansas

Butler Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Butler Community College is a medium-sized school located in El Dorado, Kansas that handed out 363 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,255 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students per year to attend Butler CC.

Full Butler Community College Registered Nursing Report

15
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 204 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis Community College is $7,056 for plains states region registered nursing students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Saint Louis Community College

16

North Dakota State College of Science did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and it awarded 40 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,084 for plains states region registered nursing students per year to attend North Dakota State College of Science.

Full North Dakota State College of Science Registered Nursing Report

17
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USD also claimed a top spot on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of South Dakota is $19,389 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of South Dakota

18
Northland Community and Technical College crest
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, Northland Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 65 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northland Community and Technical College is $11,586 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

Full Northland Community and Technical College Registered Nursing Report

19
LATI crest
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, South Dakota

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Area Technical Institute is $13,301 for plains states region registered nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at LATI

20

Metropolitan Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 58 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MCC is $4,315 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

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 more about Registered Nursing at MCC

21
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Century College is a medium-sized school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 108 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Century College is $10,397 for plains states region registered nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Century College

22

Hutchinson Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Hutchinson Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Hutchinson, Kansas. It awarded 69 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,969 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students per year to attend Hutchinson Community College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Hutchinson Community College Registered Nursing Report

23

With a ranking of #23, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest Iowa Community College is $10,831 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community College

24
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, Minnesota

With a ranking of #24, Ridgewater College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Willmar, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 93 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ridgewater College is $11,436 for Plains States Region Registered Nursing students.

Full Ridgewater College Registered Nursing Report

25

Seward County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. Seward County Community College is located in Liberal, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Seward County Community College is $6,789 for plains states region registered nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Seward County Community College

Rest of the Best 27 in Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

Not only did these schools make the top 27 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota

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