2026 Best Value Geriatric Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Geriatric Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/geriatric-nurse-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geriatric nurse/nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Geriatric Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geriatric nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geriatric Nurse/Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Kansas City the best value for a degree in geriatric nurse/nursing in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $107,719. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $30,754. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $97,582. Set against $30,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Capella University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $27,826. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $72,053. That is a strong return on a $27,826 median debt.
Briar Cliff University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geriatric nurse/nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $29,918. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $61,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morningside College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geriatric nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geriatric nurse/nursing degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $84,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #6 among the best values for geriatric nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the geriatric nurse/nursing program here. Geriatric Nurse/nursing graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $60,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #7 position for value in geriatric nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for geriatric nurse/nursing graduates is $29,881. Early-career geriatric nurse/nursing graduates make about $103,656. Set against $29,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
