2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing practice education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing practice students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing practice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $107,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Washburn University one of the best values for nursing practice. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $98,985. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $100,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $105,103. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Clarkson College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Students borrow a median of $31,289 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $99,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in nursing practice this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $132,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #7 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $27,826 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Capella University earn a median of $107,183 early in their careers. Set against $27,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #8 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $30,754. Nursing Practice graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $97,582 early in their careers. Set against $30,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Mary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,578 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $93,565. Set against $28,578 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $153,282. Set against $25,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pittsburg State University came in at #11 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $82,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $34,866. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $77,596. That is a strong return on a $34,866 median debt.
University Of South Dakota came in at #13 for value in nursing practice this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $32,298 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $71,758 early in their careers. Set against $32,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #14 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $92,946. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa earned the #15 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $96,368. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earned the #16 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,934. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $35,362. Nursing Practice graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $80,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health admits about 73% of applicants.
St Catherine University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Students borrow a median of $32,610 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $89,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,610 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
William Penn University placed #18 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Morningside College came in at #19 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $84,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Augsburg College earned the #20 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,441. Nursing Practice graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $104,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,441 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. 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. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $94,855. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,276. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $68,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #23 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $29,881. Nursing Practice graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $103,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $84,374. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $75,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing practice this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
