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

121 Ranked Colleges
14,395 Degrees Awarded
$28,900 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor's

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Registered Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 266,651 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Plains States region, there were 25,853 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 14,395 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,046 and $29,021 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s” ranking, we looked at 121 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. To top this list, a school must have a successful registered nursing program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s

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

1
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 121 schools in the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the #1 spot on the list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 3,199 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Capella University

2
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 #2 for the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school awarded 900 degrees to qualified bachelors’s registered nursing students 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%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Walden University

3

Out of the 121 schools in the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Nebraska Medical Center is a small public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 392 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.

Full UNMC Registered Nursing Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The College of Saint Scholastica. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s. St. Scholastica is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 358 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to qualified 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%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at The College of Saint Scholastica

5
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 121 schools in the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #5 spot on the list. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 315 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at South Dakota State

6
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Creighton is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 308 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Registered Nursing at Creighton University

7

Mercy College of Health Sciences ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 278 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences

8

With a ranking of #8, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 266 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Registered Nursing Report

9
Rockhurst crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri

Rockhurst University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Rockhurst University is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 261 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Rockhurst University

10
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 230 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Registered Nursing at Winona State University

11

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 221 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of Missouri - Columbia

12
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #12, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 215 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Iowa

13

MidAmerica Nazarene University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. This small school is located in Olathe, Kansas, and it awarded 208 bachelors’s registered nursing 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.

Full MNU Registered Nursing Report

14

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 205 degrees to qualified bachelors’s registered nursing students 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 Registered Nursing at UMSL

15
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 204 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kansas Registered Nursing Report

16

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 203 bachelors’s registered nursing 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%.

Full North Dakota State University Registered Nursing Report

17
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #17, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.

Full Saint Louis University Registered Nursing Report

18
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. USD is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 198 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 South Dakota Registered Nursing Report

19

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #19. Maryville University of Saint Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 184 bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

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%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Maryville University of Saint Louis

20

Wichita State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 175 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Wichita State University

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 174 degrees to qualified bachelors’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Registered Nursing Report

22
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s registered nursing degrees to 171 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 St. Kate’s

23
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #23. Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 170 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Washburn University Registered Nursing Report

24
Research College of Nursing crest
Research College of Nursing
Kansas City, Missouri

Research College of Nursing came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Research College of Nursing is a private for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 166 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Research College of Nursing Registered Nursing Report

25
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #25, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Registered Nursing Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Metro State is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 160 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Registered Nursing at Metro State

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