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 . St. Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 1,328 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $13,765. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,089 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, the very small public school handed out 115 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at NTC is $6,226. 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 NTC accumulate an average of $13,981 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NTC. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - Kansas helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Plains States Region . Rasmussen University - Kansas is located in Topeka, Kansas and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 233 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Rasmussen University - Kansas is $13,958. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $21,089 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - Kansas does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Rasmussen University - North Dakota helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Plains States Region . This very small private for-profit school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota, expect to pay an average of $12,285 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could 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 $21,089 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Rasmussen University - North Dakota, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means North Dakota State College of Science is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and it awarded 501 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Dakota who attend North Dakota State College of Science full time pay an average of $5,880 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,879. Associate Degree recipients from North Dakota State College of Science accumulate an average of $13,866 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
North Dakota State College of Science 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. In fact, around 29% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rochester Community and Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Rochester Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Rochester, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 690 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rochester Community and Technical College, expect to pay an average of $5,670 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $18,059 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
State Technical College of Missouri did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. STC is a small public school situated in Linn, Missouri. It awarded 615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,440 in tuition and fees if they attend STC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,320. On average, associate degree students take out $10,706 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that STC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 28% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northeast Iowa 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 #8 on the list. This small public school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 368 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NICC is $6,270. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,990.
NICC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Lake Area Technical Institute is a small public school located in Watertown, South Dakota that handed out 514 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
LATI does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,718. 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 $13,775 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LATI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 487 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at IHCC is $6,007. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,245 in student loans.
IHCC 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Dickinson State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Dickinson, North Dakota, and it awarded 45 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Dakota pay an average of $9,118 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend DSU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,218. Associate Degree recipients from DSU accumulate an average of $11,669 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at DSU. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Southeast Tech is a public institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 522 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Southeast Tech is $7,650. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,094 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public institution located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,112 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is $5,655. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,814 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 600 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,680 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Columbia College Missouri. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Minnesota West 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 #15 on the list. Located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 239 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota West full time pay an average of $6,484 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,332. On average, associate degree students take out $14,120 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minnesota West. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, the small public school handed out 211 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,870 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northwest Iowa Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,170. On average, associate degree students take out $11,532 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northwest Iowa Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #17, Ridgewater College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Ridgewater College is located in Willmar, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 548 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Ridgewater College is $6,114. 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 Ridgewater College accumulate an average of $14,925 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Ridgewater 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 337 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
ATCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,107. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from ATCC accumulate an average of $13,721 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ATCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College
With a ranking of #19, South Central College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. South Central College is a public institution located in North Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 375 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
South Central College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,146. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from South Central College accumulate an average of $15,951 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at South Central College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Metropolitan 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 #20 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 1,366 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Nebraska pay an average of $3,285 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,815. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,497 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MCC. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hibbing Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Hibbing, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 643 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Minnesota who attend Hibbing Community College full time pay an average of $5,970 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,268. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,638 in student loans.
Hibbing Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #22, Century College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Century College is a medium-sized public school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 1,188 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Century College, expect to pay an average of $6,105 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could 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 $19,410 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Century College. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, Saint Louis Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bridgeton, Missouri. It awarded 1,981 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,130 in tuition and fees if they attend Saint Louis Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,990. Associate Degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College accumulate an average of $9,816 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Saint Louis Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 40% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. North Hennepin Community College is a small public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It awarded 613 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at North Hennepin Community College is $5,050. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,106 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Hennepin Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #25, Bismarck State College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Bismarck, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 759 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BSC is $5,143. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,227. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,985 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BSC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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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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