2023 Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Value 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 value experiences for healthcare students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Southeast Community College Area to be the best value school for healthcare students in the Plains States Region . Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school awarded 418 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Southeast Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,780 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,221 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 $150.After graduating from Southeast Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,034 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Hutchinson Community College is a great place for healthcare students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the medium-sized public school handed out 752 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hutchinson Community College are $4,470 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,967 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Hutchinson Community College graduates make an average of $38,555 annually.
The excellent programs at Cloud County Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in the Plains States Region . Concordia, Kansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 130 students in 2020-2021.
Cloud County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,570 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,410 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Cloud County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,806 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Neosho County Community College is a great place for healthcare students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Chanute, Kansas, the small public school awarded 399 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Neosho County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,000 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,224 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Neosho County Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,250 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at Central Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in the Plains States Region . Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Island, Nebraska. It awarded 420 degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,590 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,096 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Community College graduates make an average of $35,791 annually.
Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #6 on the list. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Rochester, Minnesota. It awarded 316 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rochester Community and Technical College are $5,372 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,298 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Rochester Community and Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,604 during the early years of their career.
Metropolitan Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 259 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year. On average, students take out $13,886 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,258 during the early year of their career.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sioux City, Iowa. It awarded 728 degrees in 2020-2021.
Western Iowa Tech Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,826 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,142 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates make an average of $31,155 annually.
Garden City Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. Garden City Community College is a public institution located in Garden City, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 202 degrees in 2020-2021.
Garden City Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,020 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,836 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Garden City Community College graduates make an average of $37,354 annually.
Century College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Century College is a medium-sized public school situated in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It awarded 607 degrees in 2020-2021.
Century College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,907 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,112 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Century College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,997 during the early year of their career.
Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in Fayette, Missouri that handed out 285 degrees in 2020-2021.
CMU CGES undergraduate students pay an average of $6,720 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,044 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CMU CGES graduates make an average of $39,784 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, CMU CGES is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Full Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Report
Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. ATCC is a public institution located in Alexandria, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 140 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 a year. On average, students take out $15,948 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, ATCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,141 during the early year of their career.
Anoka Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 386 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,588 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Anoka Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,893 during the early year of their career.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. North Hennepin Community College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 103 degrees in 2020-2021.
North Hennepin Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,882 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,533 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Hennepin Community College graduates make an average of $42,370 annually.
Johnson County Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Overland Park, Kansas, and it awarded 611 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year. On average, students take out $16,311 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, JCCC graduates make an average of $42,711 annually.
St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 270 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,381 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,365 during the early year of their career.
Northwest Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. NTC is a very small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 149 degrees in 2020-2021.
NTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,380 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $23,786 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, NTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,103 during the early year of their career.
Barton County Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. Barton Community College is a small public school situated in Great Bend, Kansas. It awarded 270 degrees in 2020-2021.
Barton Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,544 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $15,719 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Barton Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,383 during the early years of their career.
Dodge City Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Dodge City, Kansas, the small public school handed out 205 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dodge City Community College are $4,830 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,121 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Dodge City Community College graduates make an average of $50,338 annually.
Mid-Plains Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Platte, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.
Mid-Plains Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,320 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,135 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mid-Plains Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,959 during the early year of their career.
Northland Community and Technical College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota that handed out 351 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northland Community and Technical College are $6,052 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,224 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Northland Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $41,428 annually.
Read full report on Northland Community and Technical College
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. LATI is a small public school situated in Watertown, South Dakota. It awarded 230 degrees in 2020-2021.
LATI undergraduate students pay an average of $6,718 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,395 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $115. Once they receive their degree, LATI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,525 during the early year of their career.
LATI excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region list.
Labette Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Labette Community College is a public institution located in Parsons, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 72 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Labette Community College are $4,288 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,135 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Labette Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,899 during the early years of their career.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. It awarded 213 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus are $5,515 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,645 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,464 during the early year of their career.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. IHCC is located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 237 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at IHCC are $5,809 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,661 in student loans. During the early years of their career, IHCC graduates make an average of $41,023 annually.
Rest of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best healthcare schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE |
| 28 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND |
| 29 | Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN |
| 30 | Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN |
| 31 | Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN |
| 32 | Ridgewater College | Willmar, MN |
| 33 | Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA |
| 34 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS |
More Plains States Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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