2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in nursing in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $17,882 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,874. Set against $17,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,805. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,945. Set against $14,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,528 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,875. That is a strong return on a $14,528 median debt.

4

Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO

Saint Louis Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,667. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KS

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $21,889 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $60,330. That is a strong return on a $21,889 median debt.

6

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $18,712 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff, NE

Western Nebraska Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,249 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $16,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Salina Area Technical College
Salina, KS

Salina Area Technical College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,128 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $71,239. That is a strong return on a $25,814 median debt.

10

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,188. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,534. That is a strong return on a $21,188 median debt.

11

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College came in at #11 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,587. Nursing graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $67,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,587 median debt.

12

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $22,597 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,214. Set against $22,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Mid Plains Community College
North Platte, NE

Mid Plains Community College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $20,376 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $59,746. Set against $20,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott, KS

Fort Scott Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $55,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School
Liberal, KS

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.

17

Riverland Community College
Austin, MN

Riverland Community College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,481. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.

18

Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville, KS

Coffeyville Community College came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,677. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $62,328. Set against $17,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown, IA

Marshalltown Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,935 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $61,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,935 median debt.

20

Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD

Oglala Lakota College came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.

21

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Northeast Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,053 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $62,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Century College earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt.

23

Labette Community College
Parsons, KS

Labette Community College placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,150. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $66,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA

North Iowa Area Community College placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,600. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,096. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, KS

Dodge City Community College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.