Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, program formats, and outcomes at every Kansas nursing school.
In Kansas, 29 accredited nursing programs, from associate degrees at community colleges to BSNs at public universities, feed a healthcare system grappling with a persistent nursing shortage. Recent hospital data showed 20% of RN positions vacant statewide. That pressure elevates the importance of choosing a program with strong NCLEX pass rates, proper accreditation, and manageable debt. Most schools keep instruction in-person, but a few offer hybrid formats. Start at a low-cost technical college or pursue a four-year degree: each decision locks in different earnings ceilings and career mobility. With median earnings a decade after enrollment ranging from $36,000 to over $61,000, the math matters.
These Kansas nursing programs stand out for their combination of affordability, strong NCLEX preparation, and graduate outcomes. Our 2026 ranking considers net price, graduation rates, and alumni earnings to help you find a program that fits your goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS | $12,000/yr | Quick ADN with strong graduation support | |
North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit offers an 18-month Associate Degree in Nursing that prepares students for both PN and RN licensure. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, evidence-based practice, and small class sizes with professional faculty. It boasts a high graduation rate and competitive admission process, including a TEAS exam requirement.
| |||||
| #2 | Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS | $6,000/yr | Working LPNs advancing to RN fast | |
Salina Area Technical College provides an accelerated 9-month Associate Degree Nursing program specifically for LPNs seeking RN licensure. With a net price among the lowest in the state, the program combines classroom instruction, simulation, and clinical rotations. It emphasizes patient-care skills and soft skills training, leading to strong NCLEX-RN preparation and career readiness.
| |||||
| #3 | University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | $12,000 – $30,000/yr | Students aiming for graduate nursing pathways | |
The University of Kansas offers a traditional campus-based BSN and a hybrid Community College Nursing Partnership (CCNP) for transfer students. With the state’s only nursing Ph.D., it’s an ideal launchpad for academic progression. KU graduates report the highest median earnings among ranked schools, and the program features leadership development and extensive clinical experiences.
| |||||
| #4 | Seward County Community College | Liberal, KS | $4,000 – $5,000/yr | ||
Seward County Community College in Liberal offers a two-year ADN that builds on prior practical nursing education. The program emphasizes critical thinking, professionalism, and alignment with ANA Standards of Practice. With a low net price and strong loan repayment prospects, it serves a high-Pell student population and offers hands-on clinical experience in diverse healthcare settings.
| |||||
| #5 | Garden City Community College | Garden City, KS | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Garden City Community College’s ADN program caters specifically to Kansas LPNs aiming to advance their careers. It features small class sizes, above-average licensing pass rates, and a strong job placement record. With a focus on practical application and critical thinking, the program combines hands-on learning, expert faculty, and financial aid accessibility.
| |||||
| #6 | Colby Community College | Colby, KS | $8,000/yr (net price) | ||
Colby Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing that integrates practical nursing in the first year with ADN coursework in the second. It is accredited by KSBN and ACEN, providing a clear pathway to both LPN and RN licensure. The program includes transition courses for paramedics and respiratory therapists and requires a criminal background check.
| |||||
| #7 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS | $16,000/yr (net price) | ||
Pittsburg State University’s BSN program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on clinical training, including a simulation hospital. With a high retention rate, accredited curriculum, and supportive community, it prepares pre-licensure students for the NCLEX-RN and a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates benefit from solid earning potential and manageable debt levels.
| |||||
| #8 | Hesston College | Hesston, KS | ~$26,000/yr (est.) | ||
Hesston College, a private institution in Hesston, offers a campus-based BSN with a pre-nursing guarantee for freshmen and sophomores and direct admission for transfer students. The 121-credit program balances 60 general education credits with 61 nursing credits. Graduates enter the workforce with modest debt and competitive earnings, and generous financial aid packages are available.
| |||||
| #9 | Donnelly College | Kansas City, KS | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Donnelly College in Kansas City provides a hybrid RN-to-BSN program designed for registered nurses with an active license and an ADN. Evening classes and no Friday commitments make it accessible for working professionals. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, and community health, while courses in informatics, biostatistics, and ethics prepare nurses for advanced roles and higher earning potential.
| |||||
| #10 | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | Wichita, KS | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) in Wichita offers a two-year ADN that combines coursework with clinical experiences. The program covers anatomy, physiology, and nursing fundamentals, with a focus on practical skills and patient care. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX licensure exam and are prepared for fast entry into the healthcare workforce.
| |||||
Sticker price is rarely what nursing students pay. After federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships, the net price, the actual amount families cover, can be thousands less than published tuition. All ten schools below are public community and technical colleges, which nearly always beat private alternatives on cost, often leaving graduates with significantly less debt.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffeyville Community College | $3,600 | $4,680 | $4,957 |
| Fort Scott Community College | $3,390 | $3,840 | $5,586 |
| Labette Community College | $4,064 | $4,864 | $5,939 |
| Salina Area Technical College | $7,128 | $7,128 | $6,468 |
| Seward County Community College | $4,032 | $5,408 | $6,717 |
| Colby Community College | $4,140 | $5,830 | $7,886 |
| Garden City Community College | $3,690 | $4,320 | $8,244 |
| Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | $7,238 | $7,238 | $8,805 |
| Neosho County Community College | $5,780 | $5,780 | $10,271 |
| Highland Community College | $4,080 | $4,080 | $10,454 |
The University of Kansas Medical Center posted a 98.39% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024, leading all BSN programs in the state.1 NCLEX performance is one of the clearest signals of how well a nursing school prepares its graduates for licensure and clinical practice.
The following Kansas BSN programs are ranked by their most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, based on 2024 data from the Kansas State Board of Nursing for all schools except Emporia State University, which reports its own outcomes.1
Several programs exceed a 95% first-time pass rate, indicating strong curricula and clinical preparation. Even the lowest-scoring BSN program on this list sits close to the national average, so there is no single outlier that signals a program to avoid, but the differences are worth noting when comparing schools.
The statewide first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for all Kansas nursing programs was 94.21% in 2024, and nationally, the first-time pass rate was 91.92%.1 Kansas BSN graduates collectively perform well above the U.S. benchmark, which reflects well on the state's nursing education infrastructure. When a school's rate falls below the state average, it can be a prompt to ask about academic support, remediation policies, and licensure exam preparation resources.
NCLEX pass rates are a proxy for program quality because they measure the endpoint of a nursing school's entire curriculum and clinical training sequence. A consistently high first-time pass rate suggests that the program aligns well with the NCLEX test plan, that faculty are effectively teaching critical thinking and patient safety, and that students are graduating ready to enter practice.
For prospective students, these rates also have direct financial and career implications. Failing the NCLEX on the first attempt means additional exam fees, delayed licensure, and postponed job offers. Many employers track pass rates when recruiting new graduates, so attending a school with a strong record can give candidates an edge in the job market. Over time, state boards of nursing and accreditation bodies use pass-rate thresholds to monitor program viability; programs that dip too low risk being placed on probation or losing approval. Because Kansas Board of Regents schools and private colleges both appear on this list, applicants can weigh academic reputation, cost, and location alongside NCLEX data to make a well-rounded decision.
Checking NCLEX performance should be one part of the selection process, not the sole factor, but ignoring it means overlooking a transparent, publicly reported outcome that captures how well a school fulfills its core promise: preparing nurses who can pass the exam and launch their careers.
Accreditation is the invisible force that determines whether your nursing degree will open doors to advanced practice or quietly close them before you apply. In Kansas, most BSN programs hold either CCNE or ACEN accreditation, and understanding the difference helps you map a career path without unexpected roadblocks.
A search for ccne accredited nursing programs Kansas reveals that the state's largest public universities predominantly hold CCNE accreditation. For example, the University of Kansas School of Nursing is fully CCNE-accredited.1 Many other four-year colleges in the state also maintain CCNE recognition for their BSN tracks, while a smaller number carry ACEN accreditation. If a program carries only KSBN approval, weigh the potential career implications carefully. At the time of writing, no Kansas BSN program has provisional or candidacy accreditation status. Always verify directly with the school or accrediting body's website.
Before enrolling, check each program's accreditation status on the Kansas Nursing Schools directory or through the official CCNE and ACEN websites. A few extra minutes of verification can prevent years of professional friction.
Kansas nursing programs rely overwhelmingly on in-person, campus-based instruction: a structure that guarantees direct access to clinical partnerships and simulation labs. Only a handful of schools offer hybrid flexibility, and fully online pre-licensure RN programs are absent from the 2026 rankings.
Of the 29 ranked programs, 26 are traditional campus-based ADN or BSN pathways. Schools like Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, and University of Kansas anchor the state with brick-and-mortar offerings that pair classroom theory with supervised clinical rotations.
For students unable to relocate, several regions provide multiple choices. The Kansas City metro holds University of Kansas, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Donnelly College, and Johnson County Community College (Overland Park). Wichita clusters Wichita State University, WSU Tech, and Newman University. Smaller hubs like Topeka (Washburn University, Rasmussen), Salina (Salina Tech, Kansas Wesleyan), and Hays (Fort Hays State) still host respected on-campus programs. Rural areas are well served by community colleges such as Garden City, Colby, and Seward County.
Donnelly College, Neosho County Community College, and Rasmussen University-Kansas all list hybrid formats. These programs deliver lectures online while requiring in-person clinicals and periodic on-campus intensives. For working students, that mix can preserve income without sacrificing clinical readiness. If you need maximum flexibility, confirm how clinical placements are handled before enrolling.
Program-level earnings for Kansas nursing schools are not yet available for early career benchmarks. The most recent metric reported is median earnings 10 years after entering college. Among the Kansas BSN programs tracked, Baker University graduates have the highest median earnings.
Kansas nursing graduates see strong financial returns, particularly from associate degree programs that launch RN careers with modest debt. For the ten programs below, the median earnings ten years after enrollment range from about $35,000 to over $47,000, while median federal loan debt stays between $6,500 and $10,000. That gap creates ROI ratios worth examining.
A simple way to gauge value is to compare median graduate debt to median earnings. When earnings outpace debt, graduates can cover loans quickly. Among Kansas ADN programs: - Garden City Community College shows a 6.4 ROI ratio, with median debt of $6,500 and earnings of $41,704. - Seward County Community College follows at 6.38, with similar debt and $41,445 in earnings. - Salina Area Technical College hits a 6.03 ratio on $7,000 debt and $42,175 earnings. - At the lower end, Coffeyville Community College still delivers a 4.35 ratio, though its earnings of $35,246 and debt of $8,103 lag peers. Even the weakest ratio here is solid. Every dollar borrowed yields at least $4.30 in future annual earnings.
Kansas registered nurses earn a median annual wage of $86,620, slightly below the national median of $93,6001. While program-completer earnings figures capture early-to-mid-career earnings (not peak earnings), they align with the state's broader nursing wage trajectory. Graduates from schools like North Central Kansas Technical College, with median earnings of $46,928 a decade out, are likely moving toward the state median as they gain experience and credentials.
Nationally, RN employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, adding roughly 197,000 positions.1 Kansas's aging population and healthcare expansion point to similar demand, preserving upward pressure on wages and job availability for new grads.
While earnings-to-debt ratios spotlight payoff speed, cost-conscious students should focus on net price (what you actually pay after grants and scholarships). For example, Garden City Community College's effective net price is $8,244, far below the debt figure. Lower net price means less borrowing and an even faster ROI. Compare net prices across programs to find the best personal fit.
In 2021, Kansas hospitals reported that one in five registered nurse positions was unfilled, a 20% vacancy rate signaling a critical workforce gap. The Kansas Hospital Association tracked this shortfall as demand for nurses outpaced supply statewide.
Nursing education in Kansas is evolving as healthcare systems expand their clinical training partnerships to meet the growing demand for skilled nurses. Choosing the right program means weighing accreditation, NCLEX outcomes, cost, clinical opportunities, and program format. Here’s how to break down the decision.
Start with accreditation. All Kansas nursing programs should hold approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing, but national accreditation from ACEN or CCNE signals a higher standard of quality and is often required for graduate programs. For example, the University of Kansas School of Nursing, ranked among the top 10% of programs nationally, carries CCNE accreditation. Next, review NCLEX pass rates. These rates, published by the state board, reveal how well a school prepares students for licensure. Aim for schools with consistent first-time pass rates above the national average. While institutional data can hint at outcomes, note that program-specific NCLEX results offer the most direct evidence.
Net price, what you actually pay after grants and scholarships, varies dramatically across Kansas. According to the latest federal data, the average net price at public institutions ranges from under $7,000 at Salina Area Technical College to over $18,000 at the University of Kansas. Keep in mind these are institution-wide medians, not nursing-specific figures, but they help gauge affordability. Lower-cost options often include community colleges like Seward County Community College (net price $6,717) or North Central Kansas Technical College ($12,393), offering associate degree programs with strong value.
Equally critical are clinical placement partnerships. The quality and quantity of hands-on training sites shape your readiness. Major Kansas health systems that partner with nursing schools include Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, AdventHealth in Shawnee Mission, and The University of Kansas Health System. Wichita State University, the state’s largest nursing program1, maintains extensive clinical rotations across these networks. When visiting programs, ask how many hours you’ll spend in these settings and the variety of specialties available.
Admission selectivity varies. Institutional admission rates suggest that many Kansas universities are accessible, and the University of Kansas admits about 93% of applicants overall, and Pittsburg State admits roughly 89%, but nursing programs often impose additional prerequisites and competitive entry. Expect to complete courses in anatomy, microbiology, and psychology, and maintain a minimum GPA. Some schools require TEAS or HESI entrance exams.
If cost is a concern, explore ADN-to-BSN transfer pathways. Many community colleges, including those in the data slice, have articulation agreements with four-year universities. Completing an associate degree first can cut total costs significantly while still leading to a BSN and expanded career opportunities.
By aligning your priorities with the data, you’ll find a Kansas nursing school that fits your goals and budget.
Choosing a nursing program in Kansas raises many questions about quality, cost, and outcomes. Below, we answer common queries to help you navigate the options, drawing on data from institutional reports and national rankings.
Our top-10 ranking highlights the highest-scoring nursing programs in Kansas. But every student's priorities differ, cost, location, or specialized tracks. Use this discovery list to compare all the additional accredited nursing schools across the state. Each entry includes the school’s location, delivery format, and what makes it unique.
