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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

96 Colleges in the Plains States Region
6,339 Associate Degrees
$63,886 Avg Early-Career Salary
Nursing is of the hottest associate degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #2 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 96 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 6,339 associate degrees in nursing to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

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DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 91
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.38), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing MSN to DNP (Doctorate) Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing MSN to DNP (Doctorate) Programs (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing MSN to PhD (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing MSN to PhD (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Education (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Nursing Education (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Care Coordination (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Care Coordination (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Leadership (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 41
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 39 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 39
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 13 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Associate Degree

Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region Your choice of nursing for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Early-Career Salaries

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their associate degree.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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DEBUG: major_slug = "health-care-professions/nursing"
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 91
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.38), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.9

ADBLOCK #171

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Nursing in the Plains States Region

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

19 Top Plains States Region Schools for an Associate in Nursing

1
711 Annual Graduates
$68,119 Median Starting Salary
$17,700 Median Student Debt

Every student who is interested in an associate degree in nursing needs to take a look at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Rasmussen University - Minnesota earn $4,233 more than the average nursing student.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - Minnesota

2
100 Annual Graduates
$68,119 Median Starting Salary
$17,700 Median Student Debt

It is hard to beat Rasmussen University - North Dakota if you want to pursue an associate degree in nursing. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a fairly small private for-profit university located in the city of Fargo.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Rasmussen University - North Dakota earn a boost of approximately $4,233 over the average income of nursing graduates.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rasmussen University - North Dakota

3

Every student who is interested in an associate degree in nursing needs to check out Rochester Community and Technical College. Located in the medium-sized city of Rochester, Rochester Community and Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Rochester Community and Technical College make $6,134 more than the average nursing student.

More information about a associate in nursing from Rochester Community and Technical College

4

It is difficult to beat Minneapolis Community and Technical College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $61,817 for their early career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Minneapolis Community and Technical College

5

Neosho County Community College is a small public college located in the remote town of Chanute.

Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $61,906 for their early career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Neosho County Community College

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6

Northland Community and Technical College is a small public college located in the remote town of Thief River Falls.

Those nursing students who get their associate degree from Northland Community and Technical College make $3,189 more than the standard nursing graduate.

More information about a associate in nursing from Northland Community and Technical College

7

DMACC is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Ankeny.

Soon after graduation, nursing associate recipients usually make an average of $59,181 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in nursing from Des Moines Area Community College

8

Butler CC is a medium-sized public college located in the town of El Dorado.

Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $63,244 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Butler Community College

9
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Century College receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,626 over the typical income of nursing majors.

More information about a associate in nursing from Century College

10

Located in the remote town of Bemidji, NTC is a public college with a small student population.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Northwest Technical College receive an earnings boost of around $8,892 over the typical income of nursing majors.

More information about a associate in nursing from Northwest Technical College

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11

Located in the large suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Associate recipients from the nursing program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College make $2,598 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a associate in nursing from Anoka-Ramsey Community College

12

Located in the remote town of Watertown, LATI is a public school with a small student population.

Nursing associate degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute earn a boost of approximately $2,347 over the average income of nursing majors.

More information about a associate in nursing from Lake Area Technical Institute

13
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public college with a small student population.

After graduation, nursing associate recipients typically earn an average of $59,082 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Ridgewater College

14

Southeast Tech is a small public college located in the midsize city of Sioux Falls.

Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $62,601.

More information about a associate in nursing from Southeast Technical College

15

North Hennepin Community College is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of Brooklyn Park.

Those nursing students who get their associate degree from North Hennepin Community College earn $3,426 more than the typical nursing graduate.

More information about a associate in nursing from North Hennepin Community College

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Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington, IA

Southeastern Community College is a small public college located in the remote town of West Burlington.

Soon after graduating, nursing associate recipients usually make an average of $61,159 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in nursing from Southeastern Community College

17

Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Associate students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $56,562 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in nursing from Iowa Central Community College

18

Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $61,116 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a associate in nursing from Hibbing Community College

19

Located in the city of Duluth, LSC is a public college with a small student population.

Students who graduate with their associate from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $64,846.

More information about a associate in nursing from Lake Superior College

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
20 Cox College Springfield, MO
21 Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA
22 St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud, MN
23 Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA
24 Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MN
25 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
26 Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KS
27 Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MO
28 Columbia College Columbia, MO
29 Riverland Community College Austin, MN
30 Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IA
31 Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City, KS
32 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
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Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 151 2,167
Kansas 146 868
Missouri 117 1,409
Iowa 116 1,152
Nebraska 98 265
South Dakota 93 114
North Dakota 92 287
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Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 6,290
Nursing Practice 49
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Related Major Annual Graduates
Allied Health Professions 1,953
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 1,074
Dental Support Services 756
Health & Medical Administrative Services 628
Health Sciences & Services 342
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science 275
Health/Medical Prep Programs 165
Mental & Social Health Services 133
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services 74
Other Health Professions 73

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Notes and References

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