by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 121 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for health professions students pursuing a associate degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 12,802 associate degrees in health professions during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The health professions associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality health professions program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for health professions students working on their associate degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in health professions. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
St Catherine University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in health professions. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St. Kate's is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from St Catherine University
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in health professions has to check out Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Rasmussen University - Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in health professions. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit university located in the small city of St. Cloud.More information about a associate in health professions from Rasmussen University - Minnesota
Northwestern Health Sciences University is a good choice for students interested in an associate degree in health professions. NWHSU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Bloomington.More information about a associate in health professions from Northwestern Health Sciences University
Located in the large city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Clarkson College
Rockhurst is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Kansas City.More information about a associate in health professions from Rockhurst University
Located in the small city of Waterloo, Allen College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Allen College
Located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Century College
South Dakota State is a large public university located in the remote town of Brookings.More information about a associate in health professions from South Dakota State University
Saint Paul College is a medium-sized public college located in the large city of Saint Paul.More information about a associate in health professions from Saint Paul College
St Luke's College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Sioux City.More information about a associate in health professions from St Luke’s College
Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Washburn University
Located in the town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Flint Hills Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public college located in the midsize city of Rochester.More information about a associate in health professions from Rochester Community and Technical College
Located in the midsize city of Fargo, Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a private for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Located in the suburb of St. Louis Park, Herzing University - Minneapolis is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Herzing University - Minneapolis
LATI is a small public school located in the town of Watertown.More information about a associate in health professions from Lake Area Technical Institute
FHSU is a fairly large public university located in the town of Hays.More information about a associate in health professions from Fort Hays State University
Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from St Cloud Technical and Community College
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD |
| 20 | Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 21 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines, IA |
| 22 | Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar, MO |
| 23 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA |
| 24 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND |
| 25 | Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS |
Explore the best health professions colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 37 | 4,140 |
| Kansas | 35 | 1,846 |
| Nebraska | 34 | 941 |
| Iowa | 33 | 1,922 |
| South Dakota | 32 | 449 |
| Missouri | 32 | 2,952 |
| North Dakota | 26 | 487 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 6,262 |
| Allied Health Professions | 2,034 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 1,496 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 884 |
| Dental Support Services | 721 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 428 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 283 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 211 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 119 |
| Other Health Professions | 95 |
