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2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate

88 Ranked Colleges
6,200 Degrees Awarded
$22,800 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate

With all of the options veterans have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate” ranking.

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. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 6,200 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,723 and $22,140 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate” ranking analyzed 88 colleges that offered a degree in registered nursing. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great registered nursing programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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The registered 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 Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree vets studying registered nursing.

Top 25 Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.

Rasmussen University - North Dakota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Our most recent data shows that 23 of the 628 students enrolled at Rasmussen University - North Dakota were GI Bill® students, of which 13 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,620. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Rasmussen University - North Dakota Veteran Student Life Report

2
Iowa Western Community College crest
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa Western Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate. This medium-sized school is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and it awarded 146 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa Western Community College also made our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 5,791 students enrolled at Iowa Western Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $583. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Iowa Western Community College]](/colleges/iowa-western-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 81 degrees to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

Western Iowa Tech Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Among the 5,360 students enrolled at Western Iowa Tech Community College, 117 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 51 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,455. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mercy College of Health Sciences. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate. Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 associates’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Mercy College of Health Sciences did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.According to our most recent data, Mercy College of Health Sciences supports 869 students, and 46 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 23 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,698. To help with additional expenses, 2 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Mercy College of Health Sciences offers credit for military training for eligible students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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…

5
LATI crest
Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Area Technical Institute. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Lake Area Technical Institute is a small school located in Watertown, South Dakota that handed out 26 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LATI, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 2,217 students enrolled at Lake Area Technical Institute, 136 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,486. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Lake Area Technical Institute does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Lake Area Technical Institute]](/colleges/lake-area-technical-institute/student-life/veterans/)

6
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 108 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Century College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.According to our most recent data, Century College supports 8,203 students, and 197 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 135 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,525. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Century College]](/colleges/century-college/student-life/veterans/)

7

With a ranking of #7, Southwest Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Southwest Baptist University is a small school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 133 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Southwest Baptist University also made our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5.Our most recent data shows that 73 of the 3,039 students enrolled at Southwest Baptist University were GI Bill® students, of which 27 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,266. In addition to receiving other benefits, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Southwest Baptist University Veteran Student Life Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Fergus Falls, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 76 students in 2020-2021.

According to our most recent data, Minnesota State Community and Technical College supports 5,757 students, and 59 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 23 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,349. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Minnesota State Community and Technical College Veteran Student Life Report

9
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus crest
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Anoka-Ramsey Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking. Located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 151 degrees to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

Our most recent data shows that 148 of the 8,482 students enrolled at Anoka-Ramsey Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 85 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,042. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus Veteran Student Life Report

10
LSC crest
Lake Superior College
Duluth, Minnesota

Lake Superior College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking, coming in at #10. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 112 students in 2020-2021.

According to our most recent data, LSC supports 4,762 students, and 173 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 97 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,648. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. LSC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at LSC]](/colleges/lake-superior-college/student-life/veterans/)

10
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 204 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saint Louis Community College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, Saint Louis Community College supports 15,206 students, and 16 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 10 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,111. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Saint Louis Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full Saint Louis Community College Veteran Student Life Report

12
IHCC crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Inver Hills Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Inver Hills Community College is a small public school situated in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It awarded 89 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

IHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.According to our most recent data, IHCC supports 4,071 students, and 98 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 48 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,371. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. IHCC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

13
Southeast Tech crest
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

With a ranking of #13, Southeast Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Southeast Technical College is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 associates’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree vets studying registered nursing list, Southeast Tech has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 193 of the 2,330 students enrolled at Southeast Technical College were GI Bill® students, of which 86 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,618. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Southeast Technical College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 Southeast Tech Veteran Student Life Report

14
Northland Community and Technical College crest
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Northland Community and Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 65 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Northland Community and Technical College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 24 of the 2,962 students enrolled at Northland Community and Technical College were GI Bill® students, of which 17 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,243. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Northland Community and Technical College Veteran Student Life Report

15

With a ranking of #15, North Dakota State College of Science did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. North Dakota State College of Science is a public institution located in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State College of Science, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 2,829 students enrolled at North Dakota State College of Science, 48 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 15 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,864. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

16

State Fair Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking, coming in at #16. State Fair Community College is a small public school situated in Sedalia, Missouri. It awarded 52 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Among the 3,928 students enrolled at State Fair Community College, 32 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,981. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full State Fair Community College Veteran Student Life Report

17

Johnson County Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking. Overland Park, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

Among the 13,891 students enrolled at Johnson County Community College, 389 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 221 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,331. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

18
Hibbing Community College crest
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing, Minnesota

Hibbing Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Hibbing, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

Among the 913 students enrolled at Hibbing Community College, 36 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 17 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,177. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Hibbing Community College]](/colleges/hibbing-community-college-a-technical-and-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

19

With a ranking of #19, Des Moines Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 166 students in 2020-2021.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Of the 23,051 students enrolled at Des Moines Area Community College, 500 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 221 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,709. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at DMACC]](/colleges/des-moines-area-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

20

Metropolitan Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 58 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree vets studying registered nursing list, MCC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 13,244 students enrolled at MCC, 653 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 283 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $835. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 Metropolitan Community College Veteran Student Life Report

21
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, Minnesota

Ridgewater College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking. Willmar, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

Ridgewater College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 3,176 students enrolled at Ridgewater College, 38 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,506. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Ridgewater College offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

22

With a ranking of #22, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 38 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest Iowa Community College also made our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17.Our most recent data shows that 36 of the 1,666 students enrolled at Northwest Iowa Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 23 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,961. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 veteran student life at Northwest Iowa Community College]](/colleges/northwest-iowa-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

23

Rochester Community and Technical College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate list. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 111 diplomas to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rochester Community and Technical College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 5,115 students enrolled at Rochester Community and Technical College, 163 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 67 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,891. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

24

Eastern Iowa Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking, coming in at #24. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 86 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

According to our most recent data, Eastern Iowa Community College District supports 7,081 students, and 19 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 9 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,290. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eastern Iowa Community College District does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

24

Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Registered Nursing for an Associate ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 90 degrees to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

Of the 6,429 students enrolled at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 127 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 96 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,795. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

Notes and References

References

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