Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, earnings, and program formats across Missouri's top-ranked nursing schools.
Missouri hosts 29 ranked nursing schools offering BSN and ADN pathways, spanning major research institutions in St. Louis and Kansas City to intimate regional programs in Bolivar and Kirksville. This geographic and programmatic diversity means prospective nurses can find options aligned with their budget, timeline, and career goals, but the wide variation in cost, NCLEX pass rates, and graduate earnings demands careful comparison.
With Missouri projected to meet just 87% of its registered nurse demand in 2026, selecting a program with proven licensure and employment outcomes is a matter of both personal and public health.
Missouri's top-ranked nursing programs in 2026 deliver strong NCLEX pass rates, robust clinical training, and high job placement, whether you're starting fresh or advancing your career. Our rankings include both associate and bachelor's degree pathways from public and private institutions, evaluating net price, institution-wide graduation rates, and median earnings to highlight programs that balance affordability with outcomes. Use this list to compare options across the state, from accelerated ADN tracks to comprehensive BSN curricula.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bolivar Technical College | Bolivar, MO | $28,000/yr | Quick-entry RN pathway with guaranteed placement | |
Bolivar Technical College in Bolivar offers a highly efficient Professional Nursing (RN) program that boasts a perfect 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 100% job placement. The curriculum combines classroom learning with 585 clinical hours, preparing graduates for immediate employment in southwest Missouri health care facilities. With small class sizes and an accelerated timeline, this program is ideal for career changers or those seeking a fast entry into nursing.
| |||||
| #2 | State Technical College of Missouri | Linn, MO | $15,000/yr (net price) | Technical nursing training for rural healthcare | |
State Technical College of Missouri in Linn provides an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing that builds on existing LPN credentials. The program emphasizes critical thinking, hands-on simulation lab training, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN. Known for its technically oriented curriculum, State Tech is a strong choice for students aiming to serve rural and small-hospital settings in mid-Missouri.
| |||||
| #3 | University of Missouri | Columbia, MO | $20,000/yr | Comprehensive BSN at Missouri's flagship campus | |
The Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri in Columbia offers a traditional four-year BSN, an accelerated 17-month BSN for degree holders, and a fully online RN to BSN. As Missouri's flagship public university, it combines rigorous academics, research opportunities, and interprofessional training. Graduates benefit from the university's strong employer network and above-average earnings.
| |||||
| #4 | Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Saint Louis University in Saint Louis provides multiple nursing pathways including a traditional four-year BSN, a 12-month accelerated BSN, and a direct entry MSN. The program is known for its low student-to-faculty ratio, state-of-the-art simulation facilities, and diverse clinical experiences in the St. Louis area. As a private Jesuit university, it offers a holistic admission process and robust study abroad opportunities.
| |||||
| #5 | Truman State University | Kirksville, MO | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
Truman State University in Kirksville offers a BSN program with direct entry into nursing coursework from the first year. The program boasts a 94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate and 100% graduate employment rate. With a supportive learning environment and a focus on leadership, Truman prepares students for a variety of health care settings, particularly in northeast Missouri.
| |||||
| #6 | College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout, MO | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout provides a Christ-centered BSN program with a unique work-study model that eliminates tuition debt. The four-year curriculum emphasizes holistic patient care and clinical experiences in diverse settings. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum 2.75 GPA, and the program serves as a key pipeline for nurses in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.
| |||||
| #7 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO | $26,000/yr | ||
Rockhurst University in Kansas City offers a campus-based BSN program that draws students from Missouri and Kansas, leveraging clinical partnerships across the bi-state metro area. The curriculum emphasizes patient care, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Rockhurst also provides accelerated and RN-to-BSN options, making it a versatile choice for both traditional students and working nurses.
| |||||
| #8 | Maryville University | Saint Louis, MO | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Maryville University in Saint Louis offers a BSN with three track options: on-campus, fast track for transfers, and evening/weekend for working adults. The program reports a 98% career outcomes rate and features state-of-the-art practice labs and real-life clinical settings. Accredited by the CCNE, Maryville is a strong pipeline for nurses in the St. Louis metro and eastern Missouri.
| |||||
| #9 | Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield, MO | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield provides a 36-week LPN-to-RN Associate of Science in Nursing. The program boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement, making it a top community college option in southwest Missouri. Designed specifically for licensed practical nurses, it offers an accelerated pathway to RN licensure with a focus on local health care needs.
| |||||
| #10 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | $13,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
The University of Missouri-Kansas City offers a Pre-Licensure BSN, an Accelerated BSN for degree holders, and a fully online RN-BSN. With a reported NCLEX pass rate above 98% and strong clinical partnerships in the Kansas City metro, UMKC is a top producer of baccalaureate-prepared nurses for the region. In-state tuition is available for eligible Kansas and Midwest residents, enhancing affordability.
| |||||
Our rankings give you a practical way to compare Missouri nursing schools based on measurable, real-world results rather than reputation alone. We pull data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard to weigh four core factors: what students pay after financial aid, how many complete their degrees on time, how much graduates earn after attending, and median debt levels.
You will not see NCLEX first-time pass rates included in our ranking. Those numbers come from the Missouri State Board of Nursing and deserve their own spotlight. We cover pass rates in a dedicated section later so you can evaluate clinical preparedness separately.
Many nursing school lists offer no explanation for how programs land on top. By showing exactly which data points shape our ranking and where that data originates, we aim to cut through the guesswork. Knowing that earnings figures come from federally reported sources rather than school marketing materials helps you judge value more clearly. The goal is not a one-size-fits-all best school, but a clear window into cost, debt, and earning power so you can weigh what fits your career goals and budget.
The cost of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Missouri varies widely, with average net prices (after scholarships and grants) ranging from about $6,100 to over $25,000 per year. The table below compares published tuition and the actual net price for full-time, first-year students at Missouri BSN programs, helping you see the true cost after financial aid.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Ozarks | 22360 | 22360 | 6100 |
| Missouri Southern State University | 9600 | 18300 | 12007 |
| Truman State University | 9838 | 18566 | 12780 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | 13371 | 32271 | 13310 |
| University of Central Missouri | 10050 | 18600 | 14462 |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | 15120 | 37620 | 15071 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | 9903 | 9903 | 15882 |
| Avila University | 40200 | 40200 | 16053 |
| Missouri State University | 9502 | 18770 | 17613 |
| University of Missouri | 14837 | 36056 | 20268 |
| Southwest Baptist University | 30566 | 30566 | 21677 |
| Maryville University | 27166 | 27166 | 22066 |
| Central Methodist University | 28620 | 28620 | 22766 |
| Saint Louis University | 55760 | 55760 | 24398 |
| Rockhurst University | 44966 | 44966 | 25884 |
A nursing program can boast strong faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, but its true test is how well graduates can pass the NCLEX-RN and begin their careers. For students weighing program prestige against proven licensure outcomes, NCLEX pass rates cut through the marketing to reveal how effectively a school prepares you for the licensing exam. In Missouri, pass rates vary by school and year, and tracking recent trends helps you choose a program with a strong track record of student success.
The NCLEX-RN is the licensure exam required to become a registered nurse, and a graduate’s ability to pass it on the first attempt is a direct reflection of the program’s curriculum, clinical training, and student support. High first-time pass rates indicate that a school not only teaches nursing theory but also ensures that students can apply that knowledge under exam conditions. For you as a prospective student, this metric is a shortcut to understanding return on investment: strong pass rates often correlate with shorter time to employment and lower overall costs since you avoid retesting fees and delays in starting your career.
Comprehensive, school-level NCLEX pass rate data for all Missouri BSN programs is not always published in a single, easy-to-access location. Some schools voluntarily report their outcomes, and the Missouri State Board of Nursing may release periodic summaries. For example, Research College of Nursing in Kansas City reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 90% for its 2023 graduates and 94% for 2024 graduates1, reflecting an upward trend. Because annual rates can fluctuate based on cohort size or academic changes, it is wise to examine performance over multiple years rather than relying on a single snapshot.
When comparing Missouri nursing schools, focus on consistency and trajectory rather than one year’s number. A program that maintains pass rates above the national average, which for BSN graduates typically hovers around 90%, suggests reliable preparation. Improvement over time, like the Research College of Nursing example1, signals responsiveness to student needs. To get a complete picture, ask admissions departments for their most recent three years of first-time pass rates or check periodic reports from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Not all schools make this data readily available, and those that do demonstrate a commitment to transparency.
NCLEX success is critical, but it should not be the only factor guiding your choice. Consider how a school supports exam preparation: does it offer integrated review courses, practice tests, or remediation plans for students who struggle? A program with slightly lower pass rates but robust NCLEX coaching might be just as effective as one with higher raw numbers. Pair pass rate data with other priorities like clinical placement quality, tuition cost, and program format. Ultimately, a school that balances solid NCLEX outcomes with a supportive learning environment sets you up for a smooth transition from student to practicing nurse.
A low tuition sticker can still leave graduates financially stretched if earnings don't follow, while a higher-cost program may pay off quickly when incomes are strong. For Missouri nursing students, the relationship between what you borrow and what you earn varies dramatically across schools.
Institution-wide federal data shows median earnings a decade after entry range from about $36,000 (Crowder College) to nearly $86,000 (Research College of Nursing and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing). The midpoint among these top programs sits around $42,000. Keep in mind these figures are not confined to nursing program completers; they reflect all former students who received federal aid. Program-specific earnings, such as one-year or four-year post-completion nursing salaries, are not yet published, but the institutional numbers give a useful sense of earning potential.
Median program debt for these schools ranges from just $6,187 at St. Charles Community College to $18,250 at Rockhurst University. When you compare that debt to the median earnings, a clear ROI pattern emerges: the higher-debt programs often (but not always) justify the extra borrowing with outsized salaries. For example, graduates of Research College of Nursing left with about $13,930 in median debt while earning a median of $85,910, which is annual earnings more than six times the total debt. For a standard 10-year repayment plan, a $10,000 debt at current federal student loan interest rates would result in monthly payments of about $101.
Community colleges like St. Charles (debt-to-earnings ratio of 6.9) and State Technical College of Missouri (5.1) offer strikingly low debt and solid earnings, making them especially attractive for cost-conscious students. Even at the associate degree level, these schools produce returns that rival or exceed some four-year BSN programs. Among bachelor's-level options, Barnes-Jewish College (5.0) and Research College (6.2) demonstrate how a moderate debt load can be managed with high post-graduation income.
These earnings figures reflect only program completers who received federal aid and are influenced by factors like local employer demand, city versus rural setting, and whether graduates pursue advanced practice or specializations. The numbers are a starting point, not a guarantee. Always review a program's licensure pass rates and job placement support alongside earnings data to build a complete financial picture.
While early-career earnings data for Missouri BSN programs is not yet available, the long-term picture is clear. The chart below shows the spread of median earnings 10 years after graduation for BSN holders from top Missouri schools. Median program debt at these schools is $19,375, offering a helpful ROI benchmark.
Missouri nursing students can pursue a BSN through either online or on-campus pathways, each suited to different career stages. Online programs cater mainly to working RNs seeking a bachelor's completion, while on-campus programs provide hands-on training for initial licensure.
Array Array Array Array Array Array
Array Array Array Array Array Array
Nursing salaries in Missouri vary widely by location, meaning where you work after graduation can be just as important as where you attend school. Statewide, the picture is mixed: Missouri’s median annual wage for registered nurses sits at $69,310, far below the national median of $93,600,1 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024. But within the state, metropolitan areas offer above-average earning opportunities that can narrow the gap.
Missouri’s statewide median puts it among the lower-paying states for RNs, reflecting a lower cost of living but also a more modest wage ceiling. The national median of $93,600 highlights the potential benefit of working across state lines or targeting higher-paying regions. However, staying in Missouri doesn’t mean accepting the statewide figure, select metros significantly outperform the state average.
Average annual wages in Missouri’s larger metros show a clear hierarchy. Kansas City leads with an average of $75,380, followed closely by St. Louis at $72,860. Columbia reports $61,650, roughly on par with the Missouri mean of $61,920, while Springfield and Joplin come in lower at $59,650 and $60,550 respectively.3 Rural areas, though not broken out here, generally trail behind these urban centers. Even within metros, specific hospital systems or specialized units may pay above the average, so these figures serve as a useful baseline.
The salary differences between Kansas City and smaller metros like Springfield can mean thousands of dollars in annual earnings. This often influences new graduates to seek employment in larger cities after graduation. Nursing programs that offer clinical rotations in St. Louis or Kansas City can give students valuable connections at higher-paying facilities, potentially leading to job offers. If you’re weighing nursing schools in Missouri, consider where you plan to work, attending a program in or near a higher-wage metro can streamline the transition from student to well-paid RN.
Once established, BSN-level RNs can substantially increase their income by pursuing advanced practice roles. Nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in Missouri command salaries that far exceed the figures above, with CRNAs often earning well into six figures. Specializing in high-demand areas like critical care or informatics can also lift pay without necessarily leaving bedside nursing. For those committed to staying in Missouri long-term, these pathways offer a clear route to a stronger return on your nursing education investment.
By 2026, Missouri is projected to meet just 87% of its registered nurse demand, signaling a significant workforce gap that underscores the urgent need for new nursing graduates statewide.
Becoming a registered nurse in Missouri involves completing an approved nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN, and applying for licensure through the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Missouri participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, offering flexibility across state lines.
Choosing a nursing program in Missouri comes with many questions. From costs and duration to entrance requirements and NCLEX pass rates, we've gathered the essentials to help you make an informed decision. Below, find answers to the most common queries about nursing schools in the Show-Me State.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Missouri offers many other strong nursing schools. The following directory includes additional BSN and ADN options organized by region, so you can find a program that fits your needs and location.
