2023 Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 99 schools in the Plains States Region to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies the best value school in the Plains States Region for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Fayette, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 236 students in 2020-2021.
CMU CGES undergraduate students pay an average of $6,720 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,044 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CMU CGES. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
CMU CGES excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Read full report on Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Grantham University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the medium-sized private for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Grantham University are $8,280 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,932 in student loans.
Grantham University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Grantham University also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Bemidji State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in the Plains States Region . This small public school is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, and it awarded 156 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Bemidji State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,806 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,810 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Bemidji State University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Bemidji State University is ranked #5 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .
Out of the 99 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Southwest Minnesota State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 80 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Minnesota State University are $9,482 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,598 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwest Minnesota State University. During the 2019-2020 year, about 20% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwest Minnesota State University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ottawa University - Kansas City. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Overland Park, Kansas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ottawa University - Kansas City are $12,869 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,724 in student loans.
Ottawa University - Kansas City is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Ottawa University - Kansas City is ranked #1 for overall quality in the Plains States Region .
With a ranking of #6, Mayville State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Mayville, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mayville State University are $10,756 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,896 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Mayville State University, 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 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mayville State University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Minot State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minot, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 58 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MSU are $8,163 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,762 in student loans.
Online courses are available at MSU, 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 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Walden University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large private for-profit school handed out 900 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Walden University are $10,459 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $45,244 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Walden University. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Walden University also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Metropolitan State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 160 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,394 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,492 in student loans.
Metro State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Capella University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,199 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Capella University are $14,148 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $36,933 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Capella University is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Capella University also made our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, coming in at #4.
Dickinson State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, the small public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
DSU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,093 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DSU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
South Dakota State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, the fairly large public school awarded 315 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Dakota State are $12,809 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,563 in student loans.
South Dakota State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of South Dakota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. USD is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 198 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at USD are $12,942 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,445 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that USD does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 203 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Dakota State University are $14,876 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,435 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Dakota State University. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus
With a ranking of #15, University of North Dakota did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 143 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UND are $15,037 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,584 in loans while pursuing their degree.
UND 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a very small private for-profit school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 20 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - North Dakota are $11,847 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $37,026 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rasmussen University - North Dakota. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Winona State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 230 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Winona State are $16,684 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,110 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Winona State does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Winona State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. MSU Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 59 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MSU Moorhead are $17,564 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,798 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that MSU Moorhead does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, MSU Moorhead also is in the top 10% of our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.
Columbia College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia College Missouri are $11,636 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $32,519 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Columbia College Missouri 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, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school handed out 113 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Minnesota are $13,558 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,256 in student loans.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Fort Hays State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 134 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FHSU are $15,870 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,547 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that FHSU does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 100 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southeast Missouri State University are $15,285 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,121 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Southeast Missouri State University. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Central Missouri landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 143 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UCM are $16,815 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,019 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at UCM, 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 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Truman State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Truman State is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 55 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Truman State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,410 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,434 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Truman State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the fairly large public school awarded 266 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato undergraduate students pay an average of $18,200 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $24,437 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minnesota State Mankato. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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