2023 Most Popular Nursing 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.
The Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 256 schools in the Plains States Region to see which 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.
Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capella University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 14,847 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Capella University accumulate an average of $59,264 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Maryville University of Saint Louis helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Plains States Region . Maryville U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3,153 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $39,378 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $407 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Maryville U graduates make an average of $59,828 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school handed out 2,068 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $168 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Minnesota, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,281 during the early years of their career. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Des Moines Area Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Plains States Region . DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,028 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from DMACC accumulate an average of $11,831 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $95, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WSU Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 1,819 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,279 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $159.After graduating from WSU Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,673 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Full Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Report
University of Nebraska Medical Center landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. University of Nebraska Medical Center is a small public school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 1,316 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $78,094 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $196, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNMC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $84,128 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in Sioux City, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,848 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College accumulate an average of $11,311 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,155 during the early year of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Concordia University, Saint Paul did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Concordia University, Saint Paul is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 1,881 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $26,733 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Saint Paul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,318 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 13,676 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMN Twin Cities accumulate an average of $36,206 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $320. During the early years of their career, UMN Twin Cities graduates make an average of $50,445 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Creighton University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2,955 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $65,893 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $499, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Creighton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,756 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 402 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,342 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $399 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Goldfarb School of Nursing, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $76,635 during the early years of their career. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
The College of Saint Scholastica ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. The College of Saint Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 1,464 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from St. Scholastica accumulate an average of $38,974 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $240. During the early years of their career, St. Scholastica graduates make an average of $48,635 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
Johnson County Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. JCCC is a public institution located in Overland Park, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,809 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $11,446 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from JCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,711 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Hutchinson Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Hutchinson Community College is a public institution located in Hutchinson, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,608 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College accumulate an average of $12,990 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Hutchinson Community College graduates make an average of $38,555 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This small public school is located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 690 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Minnesota West accumulate an average of $11,465 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Minnesota West graduates make an average of $38,213 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Butler Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. El Dorado, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,371 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,666 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Butler CC graduates make an average of $30,089 annually. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,445 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMKC accumulate an average of $40,026 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $187, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMKC graduates make an average of $57,524 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
South Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,703 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,285 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $210, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from South Dakota State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,741 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, Saint Louis University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,396 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SLU accumulate an average of $46,859 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $531 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SLU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,202 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Mercy College of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 404 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,070 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $411 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mercy College of Health Sciences, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,534 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It awarded 1,407 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College accumulate an average of $13,979 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $118. Once they receive their degree, Iowa Western Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,271 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Rockhurst University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Rockhurst is located in Kansas City, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,079 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Rockhurst accumulate an average of $39,188 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $364 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Rockhurst graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,369 during the early year of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Kansas landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This large public school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 7,733 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from KU accumulate an average of $34,045 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $465. During the early years of their career, KU graduates make an average of $50,693 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Neosho County Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Located in Chanute, Kansas, the small public school handed out 791 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,754 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Neosho County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,250 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 40 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN |
| 42 | Washburn Institute of Technology | Topeka, KS |
| 43 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA |
| 44 | Washburn University | Topeka, KS |
| 45 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus | Fargo, ND |
| 46 | Clarkson College | Omaha, NE |
| 47 | North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS |
| 48 | Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar, MO |
| 49 | Allen College | Waterloo, IA |
| 50 | Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton, MO |
| 51 | Research College of Nursing | Kansas City, MO |
| 52 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN |
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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