2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 128 schools in the Plains States Region to see which bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Capella University the most popular school in the Plains States Region for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 3,199 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,933 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Capella University is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Out of the 128 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Saint Paul landed the # 3 spot on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 415 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Concordia University, Saint Paul accumulate an average of $30,777 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
Concordia University, Saint Paul does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Nebraska Medical Center. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNMC is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 392 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $11,941 in tuition and fees if they attend UNMC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $31,111. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,903 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UNMC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 17% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Goldfarb School of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 365 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $21,515 to cover tuition and fees at Goldfarb School of Nursing. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,828 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 358 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend St. Scholastica, expect to pay an average of $39,410 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $30,536 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Online courses are available at St. Scholastica, 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, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, South Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 315 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Dakota State is $9,299. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,809. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,563 in student loans. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at South Dakota State, 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 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Creighton University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Creighton is $44,524. 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 bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,325 in student loans. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Creighton does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mercy College of Health Sciences ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, Iowa and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 278 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,347 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Mercy College of Health Sciences 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 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 266 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $9,146 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Minnesota State Mankato. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,200. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
With a ranking of #11, Rockhurst University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Rockhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 261 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $40,480 to cover tuition and fees at Rockhurst. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Rockhurst accumulate an average of $24,017 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rockhurst. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Fayette, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 236 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,720 to cover tuition and fees at CMU CGES. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,044 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
Depending on your major, you 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.
Full Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Report
Winona State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 230 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Winona State is $10,184. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,684. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,110 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Winona State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 221 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mizzou is $11,475. Out-of-state students pay an average of $30,450. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,927 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mizzou. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Iowa did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 215 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Iowa. Out-of-state students pay an average of $31,905. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Iowa accumulate an average of $23,618 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Iowa. In 2019-2020 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
MidAmerica Nazarene University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Olathe, Kansas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 208 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend MNU, expect to pay an average of $33,840 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,992 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
MNU 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 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. UMSL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 205 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UMSL accumulate an average of $27,834 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at UMSL, 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 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Kansas landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 204 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Kansas pay an average of $11,166 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend KU. Out-of-state students pay an average of $28,034. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from KU accumulate an average of $23,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
KU 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, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Dakota State University is located in Fargo, North Dakota and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 203 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $10,401 in tuition and fees if they attend North Dakota State University full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,876. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,435 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Dakota State University. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus
Saint Louis University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 199 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at SLU is $48,824. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from SLU accumulate an average of $25,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
One thing to take note of is that SLU does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
University of South Dakota landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, the medium-sized public school handed out 198 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from South Dakota who attend USD full time pay an average of $9,432 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,942. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,445 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
Online courses are available at USD, 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.
Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Maryville U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 184 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Maryville U, expect to pay an average of $27,166 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Maryville U accumulate an average of $25,584 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Maryville U does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Wichita State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. WSU is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 175 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $8,800 in tuition and fees if they attend WSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,165. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,973 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #24, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large public school handed out 174 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Minnesota pay an average of $15,254 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UMN Twin Cities. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $33,818. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,575 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UMN Twin Cities. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
St Catherine University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. St. Kate’s is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 171 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend St. Kate’s, expect to pay an average of $35,532 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,685 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.
St. Kate’s does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Washburn University | Topeka, KS |
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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