2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $100,122 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Washburn University, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $98,985. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Clarkson College one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,104. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $31,289. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $99,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,500. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $105,103. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #6 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $30,754 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $97,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Winona State University earned the #7 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $26,252 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $101,220 early in their careers. Set against $26,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University earned the #8 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $99,864. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota placed #9 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. 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, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,792. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,792 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #10 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Clarke University earned the #11 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,910. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $53,450. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University landed the #12 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $32,610 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Briar Cliff University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $29,918 in student loans. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $61,105. That is a strong return on a $29,918 median debt.
Mount Marty College placed #14 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Mount Marty College earn a median of $152,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Marty College admits about 43% of applicants.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #15 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $94,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #16 position for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,881. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $103,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,881 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. 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. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $84,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Creighton University landed the #18 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $96,152 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
