2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #1 spot for value among nursing science schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $100,122. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $107,719. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

3

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for nursing science. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,726 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $82,486 early in their careers. Set against $24,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for nursing science. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $105,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the nursing science program here. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $78,022. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

6

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $26,252 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $53,109. That is a strong return on a $26,252 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #7 for value in nursing science this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $90,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

8

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $82,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $35,762 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $84,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,762 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

10

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #10 among the best values for nursing science. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $96,368. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #11 for value in nursing science this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.