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Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region

167 Schools Ranked
$43,395 Average Earnings
$25,414 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 167 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for healthcare students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Stephens College

Columbia, Missouri
$36,583 Average Earnings
$42,396 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Stephens College the best school in the Plains States Region for healthcare students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $42,396 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $213, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Stephens, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,583 during the early years of their career.

Full Stephens College Report

#2

Ottawa University - Kansas City

Overland Park, Kansas
$47,843 Average Earnings
$31,724 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ottawa University - Kansas City. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $31,724 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Ottawa University - Kansas City graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,843 during the early year of their career.

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#3

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
$80,285 Average Earnings
$31,631 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Mount Marty University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from Mount Marty accumulate an average of $31,631 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mount Marty graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $80,285 during the early year of their career.

Full Mount Marty University Report

#4

University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, Minnesota
$51,681 Average Earnings
$30,462 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Minnesota - Crookston is a great place for healthcare students.

On average, students take out $30,462 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UMN Crookston graduates make an average of $51,681 annually.

Full University of Minnesota - Crookston Report

#5

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$61,341 Average Earnings
$18,648 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 167 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the # 5 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,648 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WUSTL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,341 during the early year of their career.

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#6

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota
$41,529 Average Earnings
$23,164 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

On average, students take out $23,164 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $202 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMN Duluth graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,529 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Report

#7

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
$43,896 Average Earnings
$25,667 Avg Student Debt

Bemidji State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,667 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Bemidji State University graduates make an average of $43,896 annually.

Read full report on Bemidji State University

#8

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,712 Average Earnings
$26,790 Avg Student Debt

Augsburg University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,790 in student loans.After graduating from Augsburg, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,712 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Augsburg University

#9

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
$51,496 Average Earnings
$25,771 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, University of North Dakota did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

On average, students take out $25,771 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $591, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UND graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,496 during the early year of their career.

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#10

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
$50,094 Average Earnings
$27,244 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Saint Ambrose University did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

Degree recipients from St. Ambrose University accumulate an average of $27,244 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $401 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from St. Ambrose University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,094 during the early years of their career.

Full Saint Ambrose University Report

#11

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
$41,281 Average Earnings
$30,701 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking.

Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Minnesota accumulate an average of $30,701 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $127.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Minnesota, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,281 during the early years of their career.

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#12

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
$46,901 Average Earnings
$21,797 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #12 on the list.

Degree recipients from Mizzou accumulate an average of $21,797 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $398, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mizzou graduates make an average of $46,901 annually.

Read full report on University of Missouri - Columbia

#13

University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota
$55,808 Average Earnings
$28,314 Avg Student Debt

University of Mary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $28,314 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UMary, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,808 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Mary Report

$39,784 Average Earnings
$25,044 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,044 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CMU CGES graduates make an average of $39,784 annually.

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#15

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
$58,756 Average Earnings
$25,325 Avg Student Debt

Creighton University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Creighton accumulate an average of $25,325 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $518, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Creighton graduates make an average of $58,756 annually.

Read full report on Creighton University

#16

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
$50,709 Average Earnings
$24,185 Avg Student Debt

Webster University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Webster accumulate an average of $24,185 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Webster graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,709 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Webster University

#17

The College of Saint Scholastica

Duluth, Minnesota
$48,635 Average Earnings
$30,536 Avg Student Debt

The College of Saint Scholastica ranked #17 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from St. Scholastica accumulate an average of $30,536 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $314 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from St. Scholastica, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,635 during the early years of their career.

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#18

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$51,291 Average Earnings
$31,006 Avg Student Debt

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #18 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.

Degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota accumulate an average of $31,006 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $356. Once they receive their degree, Bethel University Minnesota graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,291 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$59,828 Average Earnings
$25,584 Avg Student Debt

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #19 on the list.

Degree recipients from Maryville U accumulate an average of $25,584 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $452. Once they receive their degree, Maryville U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,828 during the early year of their career.

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#20

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
$44,424 Average Earnings
$26,110 Avg Student Debt

Winona State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Winona State accumulate an average of $26,110 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Winona State graduates make an average of $44,424 annually.

Full Winona State University Report

$48,201 Average Earnings
$23,435 Avg Student Debt

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.

On average, students take out $23,435 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Dakota State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,201 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on North Dakota State University - Main Campus

$46,060 Average Earnings
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $133.After graduating from Minnesota State Mankato, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,060 during the early years of their career.

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#23

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
$51,202 Average Earnings
$25,051 Avg Student Debt

Saint Louis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #23 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,051 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $511, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SLU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,202 during the early year of their career.

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#24

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
$50,693 Average Earnings
$23,985 Avg Student Debt

University of Kansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #24 on the list.

Degree recipients from KU accumulate an average of $23,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $365. During the early years of their career, KU graduates make an average of $50,693 annually.

Read full report on University of Kansas

#25

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
$46,369 Average Earnings
$24,017 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Rockhurst University did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,017 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Rockhurst graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,369 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Rockhurst University

Rest of the Top 15% Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

View Best Healthcare Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best healthcare schools ranking:

Rank School Location
27 College of Saint Mary Omaha, NE
28 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
29 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
30 Luther College Decorah, IA
31 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
32 Lake Area Technical Institute Watertown, SD
33 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
34 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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