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Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

193 Colleges
$69,790 Avg Salary
$29,947 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

With 322,592 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the #3 most popular major in the United States.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 193 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Colleges.

Top 25 Top Plains States Region Schools in Nursing

Our 2023 rankings named Mayo Clinic School of Medicine the best school in the Plains States Region for nursing students. Located in the city of Rochester, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

#2

Lutheran School of Nursing

Saint Louis, MO

The excellent programs at Lutheran School of Nursing helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Plains States Region . Located in the city of Saint Louis, Lutheran School of Nursing is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Lutheran School of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $18,110.

Read full report on Nursing at Lutheran School of Nursing

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Chamberlain University - Missouri is a great place for nursing students. Located in the large suburb of St. Louis, Chamberlain - Missouri is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Missouri carry an average student debtload of $38,460. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $256.

Read More…

#4

Mount Marty University

Yankton, SD

The excellent programs at Mount Marty University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Plains States Region . Mount Marty is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Yankton.

Nursing majors at Mount Marty take out an average of $28,832 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at Mount Marty University Report

#5

Ottawa University - Kansas City

Overland Park, KS

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ottawa University - Kansas City. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Ottawa University - Kansas City is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Overland Park.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Ottawa University - Kansas City take out is $26,768.

Read More…

University of Nebraska Medical Center came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UNMC is a small public school located in the city of Omaha.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UNMC carry an average student debtload of $23,737. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $236, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Nebraska Medical Center

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the town of Winona, SMU MN is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from SMU MN carry an average student debtload of $32,139.

Full Nursing at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Report

#8

Webster University

Saint Louis, MO

Webster University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Webster is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

Read More…

#9

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, MN

College of Saint Benedict did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the midsize suburb of Saint Joseph, CSB is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from CSB take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#10

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in the remote town of Bemidji.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Bemidji State University take out is $30,446.

Read full report on Nursing at Bemidji State University

With a ranking of #11, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Rasmussen University - Minnesota accumulate an average of around $35,539 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $161.

Read More…

#12

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the fringe town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Gustavus Adolphus accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Gustavus Adolphus College

#13

Mayville State University

Mayville, ND

Mayville State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a public school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Mayville State University carry an average student debtload of $32,615.

Full Nursing at Mayville State University Report

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

With a ranking of #14, University of Kansas did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public college with a very large student population.

Nursing majors at KU take out an average of $22,182 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Kansas

Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Maryville U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Maryville U carry an average student debtload of $31,009. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.

Full Nursing at Maryville University of Saint Louis Report

Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. CMU CGES is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Fayette.

On average, nursing graduates from CMU CGES take out $27,562 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies

#17

Clarkson College

Omaha, NE

Clarkson College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Clarkson College take out is $36,225.

Full Nursing at Clarkson College Report

Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Southwest Minnesota State University take out is $31,217.

Full Nursing at Southwest Minnesota State University Report

With a ranking of #19, Northwest Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. NTC is a small public school located in the town of Bemidji.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at NTC accumulate an average of around $31,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Northwest Technical College

Herzing University - Minneapolis landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the large suburb of Minneapolis, Herzing University - Minneapolis is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Herzing University - Minneapolis carry an average student debtload of $45,508. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $204, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Herzing University - Minneapolis

#21

Creighton University

Omaha, NE

Creighton University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Creighton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Omaha.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Creighton carry an average student debtload of $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $483.

Read full report on Nursing at Creighton University

#22

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

Capella University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Capella University take out is $27,599.

Read full report on Nursing at Capella University

#23

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN

St Olaf College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from St. Olaf carry an average student debtload of $27,000.

Read full report on Nursing at St Olaf College

Bryan College of Health Sciences landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of Lincoln, Bryan College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Bryan College of Health Sciences take out $30,125 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $234, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences Report

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Goldfarb School of Nursing is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Goldfarb School of Nursing carry an average student debtload of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $350.

Full Nursing at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College Report

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

#26

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, MN
#28

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
29 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
30 Luther College Decorah, IA
31 Northwestern College Orange City, IA
32 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
33 Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, MN
34 Rasmussen University - Kansas Topeka, KS
35 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD
36 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
37 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
38 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Missouri 6,840
Minnesota 14,890
Kansas 2,633
Iowa 2,966
Nebraska 1,908
North Dakota 976
South Dakota 1,022

One of 30 majors within the area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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