2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 86 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Rasmussen University - Minnesota to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Plains States Region .
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota, expect to pay an average of $13,558 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $27,551 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 86 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,380 to cover tuition and fees at NTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,265 in student loans.
NTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Kansas. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Rasmussen University - Kansas does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,639. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,566 in student loans.
Since Rasmussen University - Kansas is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota, expect to pay an average of $11,847 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - North Dakota accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - North Dakota does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State College of Science. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $5,646 in tuition and fees if they attend North Dakota State College of Science full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,606. On average, associate degree students take out $16,451 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Dakota State College of Science does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 32% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
Rochester Community and Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,372. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,180 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Rochester Community and Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College
State Technical College of Missouri landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $7,095 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend STC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,780. Associate Degree recipients from STC accumulate an average of $13,443 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at STC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 21% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northeast Iowa Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NICC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,840.
Online courses are available at NICC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lake Area Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,718 to cover tuition and fees at LATI. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from LATI accumulate an average of $16,724 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at LATI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Inver Hills Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,809 to cover tuition and fees at IHCC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from IHCC accumulate an average of $22,611 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at IHCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Dickinson State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from North Dakota who attend DSU full time pay an average of $8,122 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,942. On average, associate degree students take out $19,554 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DSU. In 2019-2020 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Southeast Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,650 to cover tuition and fees at Southeast Tech. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,480 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Southeast Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $5,515. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus accumulate an average of $23,645 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Columbia College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,271 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Columbia College Missouri does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota West full time pay an average of $6,286 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,936. On average, associate degree students take out $17,016 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Minnesota West. In 2019-2020 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,540 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northwest Iowa Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,840. On average, associate degree students take out $16,567 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Northwest Iowa Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Ridgewater College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
If you want to attend Ridgewater College, expect to pay an average of $5,914 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Ridgewater College accumulate an average of $20,453 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Ridgewater College. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Alexandria Technical & Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
ATCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,910. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,116 in student loans.
Online courses are available at ATCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College
South Central College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,966 to cover tuition and fees at South Central College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $19,738 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at South Central College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #20, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Nebraska who attend MCC full time pay an average of $3,195 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,680. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,886 in student loans.
MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #21, Hibbing Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $5,773 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Hibbing Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,071. On average, associate degree students take out $18,202 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hibbing Community College. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #22, Century College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average tuition and fees at Century College is $5,907. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Century College accumulate an average of $22,559 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Century College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Saint Louis Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $5,295 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Saint Louis Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,155. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,964 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Saint Louis Community College. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
North Hennepin Community College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $4,882. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,520 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Hennepin Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Bismarck State College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $4,926 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BSC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,930. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,120 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BSC. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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