2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region
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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 222 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.
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2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region
The colleges and universities below are the most popular for nursing majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Most Popular Plains States Region Schools in Nursing
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Capella University accumulate an average of around $27,599 in student debt.
The excellent programs at Maryville University of Saint Louis helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Plains States Region . Maryville U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Maryville U accumulate an average of around $31,009 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a great place for nursing students. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Rasmussen University - Minnesota carry an average student debt load of $35,539. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $161.
Read full report on Nursing at Rasmussen University - Minnesota
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska Medical Center. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNMC is a small public school located in the city of Omaha.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at UNMC accumulate an average of around $23,737 in student debt. 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
Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Concordia University, Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Concordia University, Saint Paul accumulate an average of around $38,033 in student debt.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public college with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UMN Twin Cities carry an average student debt load of $22,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $202.
Full Nursing at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report
Creighton University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Creighton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Omaha.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Creighton take out is $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $483.
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Goldfarb School of Nursing is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Louis.
Nursing majors at Goldfarb School of Nursing take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $350.
With a ranking of #10, The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the small city of Duluth, St. Scholastica is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Nursing majors at St. Scholastica take out an average of $30,417 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $314.
Butler Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Butler CC is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of El Dorado.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Butler CC carry an average student debt load of $26,808.
University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Kansas City, UMKC is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at UMKC accumulate an average of around $30,817 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $251.
South Dakota State University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State is a large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.
On average, nursing graduates from South Dakota State take out $28,000 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $162, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #14, Saint Louis University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at SLU accumulate an average of around $26,192 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $493, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Mercy College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Des Moines, Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
Nursing majors at Mercy College of Health Sciences take out an average of $30,295 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $330.
Rockhurst University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in the large city of Kansas City, Rockhurst is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Rockhurst take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $275, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #17, University of Kansas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at KU take out is $22,182.
With a ranking of #18, University of Iowa did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public college with a fairly large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Iowa take out $24,687 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $221.
With a ranking of #19, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Mizzou is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Columbia.
On average, nursing graduates from Mizzou take out $24,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $425.
With a ranking of #20, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Mankato.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Minnesota State Mankato carry an average student debt load of $26,957.
St Catherine University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. St. Kate's is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from St. Kate's carry an average student debt load of $40,182. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $349.
With a ranking of #22, Winona State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Winona State is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Winona State carry an average student debt load of $25,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $190.
Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Graceland Lamoni take out is $28,584.
Read full report on Nursing at Graceland University - Lamoni
With a ranking of #24, Cox College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Cox College is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Springfield.
Nursing majors at Cox College take out an average of $34,963 in student loans while working on their egree.
University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. UMSL is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.
Nursing majors at UMSL take out an average of $26,894 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $164, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Nursing at University of Missouri - St Louis
Rest of the Top Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region
Honorable Mentions
Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Research College of Nursing | Kansas City, MO |
| 35 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN |
| 36 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD |
| 37 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Omaha, NE |
| 38 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS |
| 39 | Rasmussen University - Kansas | Topeka, KS |
| 40 | University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO |
| 40 | Missouri State University - Springfield | Springfield, MO |
| 42 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS |
| 43 | Webster University | Saint Louis, MO |
| 44 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND |
| 44 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS |
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 |
Nursing Related Majors
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.
- 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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