2027 Best Value School Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[School Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/school-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for school nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value School Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the school nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value School Nursing Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $31,000. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $107,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $100,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $103,656. Set against $29,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. School Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Early-career school nursing graduates make about $96,368. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Typical student debt for school nursing graduates is $25,000. School Nursing graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $84,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Walden University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value school nursing schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,800 to complete the school nursing program here. Soon after graduation, school nursing degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $107,541. Set against $32,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Narrow School Nursing Schools by State
More School Nursing Rankings
View All School Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- 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.
