2026 Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Pre-Nursing Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-nursing-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong pre-nursing studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-nursing studies students.
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2026 Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-nursing studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pre-Nursing Studies Schools
Western Nebraska Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value pre-nursing studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in pre-nursing studies will find it at Northeast Community College, which ranked #2. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,068 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $32,840. That is a strong return on a $14,068 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earned it the #3 place for pre-nursing studies. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-nursing studies degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $40,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in pre-nursing studies will find it at Butler Community College, which ranked #4. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern College Minnesota earned it the #5 place for pre-nursing studies. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $44,857 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri Baptist University came in at #6 for value in pre-nursing studies this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the pre-nursing studies program here. Pre-Nursing Studies graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,337 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
