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2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region

203 Colleges in the United States
29,418 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$71,905 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 203 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered 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 registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1

No school ranked higher than University Of St Thomas Minnesota this year for registered nursing. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 230 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $87,395. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $47,238 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,646. See the full registered nursing program report for Saint Johns University

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for registered nursing. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 185 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $105,103 early in their careers. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Kansas

5

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Nebraska Medical Center, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a mid-sized public institution. About 397 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Medical Center in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Nebraska Medical Center earn a median of $96,559 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Nebraska Medical Center

6

Creighton University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 281 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $96,152. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Creighton University

7

Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 224 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered 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. Get the full registered nursing details for Saint Louis University Main Campus

8
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 217 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,811. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Iowa

9
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #9 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 9,210 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Capella University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $107,183 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,826. Read more about the registered nursing program at Capella University

10

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 330 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $92,946. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

11

Winona State University placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 224 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Winona State University earn around $101,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,252. See the full registered nursing program report for Winona State University

12

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #12 spot for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 186 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $132,297 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Missouri State University Springfield

13

University Of North Dakota landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 201 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $153,282 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,792. Get the full registered nursing details for University Of North Dakota

14

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 418 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $90,983. Typical student debt for the program is $25,257. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Minnesota State University Mankato

15

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 393 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $73,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,940. See the full registered nursing program report for Concordia University Saint Paul

16
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. Rockhurst University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 195 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $87,778 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Rockhurst University

17
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. About 66 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Central Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $64,945 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,805 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Central Community College

18

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #18 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. About 89 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $68,874. Typical student debt for the program is $17,882. See the full registered nursing program report for Metropolitan Community College Area

19

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $156,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $40,188 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

20

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northwest Missouri State University

21

Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 121 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $103,656. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $29,881 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Maryville University Of Saint Louis

22

The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #22 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The College Of Saint Scholastica awarded about 231 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $94,855 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full registered nursing program report for The College Of Saint Scholastica

23

Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #23 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Rochester Community And Technical College awarded about 126 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Rochester Community And Technical College earn around $70,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Rochester Community And Technical College

24

Iowa State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered 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. See the full registered nursing program report for Iowa State University

25

Washburn University came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 127 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Washburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Washburn University earn around $98,985 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Washburn University

Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:

26
27
28
29
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
30
31
32
33
34
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
35
36
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
37
38
39
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
40
41
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
42
43
44
45
46
47
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
48
49
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for registered nursing:

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 203 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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