Top Nursing Schools & BSN Programs in St. Louis, Missouri
Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, and outcomes for BSN programs across the St. Louis metro area.
By Hannah Pierce, BSNReviewed by TopNursing.org TeamUpdated May 29, 202612 min read
At a Glance
topnursing.org ranks St. Louis nursing programs using earnings, affordability, and completion data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Several St. Louis BSN programs report first-time NCLEX pass rates above 90 percent.
St. Louis provides traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN pathways to fit different schedules and backgrounds.
Registered nurses in the St. Louis metro enjoy competitive wages and strong demand across major healthcare employers.
St. Louis anchors a healthcare economy that includes BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy, systems that collectively employ thousands of nurses and increasingly expect a BSN for advancement. For aspiring nurses, the city’s concentration of clinical sites creates a practical tension: you can access strong training without relocating, but program costs and formats differ sharply across public universities, private colleges, and accelerated pathways. A traditional BSN at a state school may stretch four years with lower debt, while an accelerated program can move you into practice in under 18 months at a higher price. That trade-off (time versus money) shapes most nursing school decisions in the St. Louis market.
How We Ranked St. Louis Nursing Programs
Our ranking for nursing schools in St. Louis is built on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Instead of relying on reputation surveys or subjective opinions, we weigh objective, quantifiable factors that reflect what most students care about: affordability, graduation outcomes, and earning potential.
What we look at
Net price: The average cost after scholarships and grants, for lower-income students. This signals affordability.
Graduation rate: The percentage of first-time, full-time students who complete a degree. This metric is institution-wide (not limited to nursing) so it offers a broad measure of student support and resources.
Earnings: Median earnings for students who received federal financial aid. We include earnings at one, two, and four years after entering college, weighting later earnings more heavily as a gauge of career payoff.
Debt: Median federal student loan debt at graduation. Lower debt loads improve a school’s rank.
Completions: The number of students completing nursing programs, which signals program scale and viability.
What we don’t include (and why)
NCLEX pass rates are not part of our ranking formula. Pass rates reflect exam performance, an important metric, but they are not collected uniformly by the federal dataset, and including them would reduce our ability to compare schools consistently. Instead, we feature NCLEX data in a dedicated section below so you can still assess program quality directly.
By using outcomes data rather than surveys, we give you a transparent, data-driven starting point for your nursing school search.
NCLEX Pass Rates for St. Louis BSN Programs
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are one of the most concrete ways to gauge how well a BSN program prepares students for licensure. The Missouri State Board of Nursing publishes annual reports that break out performance for each approved program in the state, including schools in the St. Louis metro area. Because pass rates can shift from one testing cycle to the next, looking at multi-year trends gives a clearer picture than any single snapshot.
Where to find official pass rates
The Missouri Board of Nursing posts program-specific NCLEX statistics on its website, typically in spreadsheet or PDF format. These reports list first-time pass rates for associate degree and baccalaureate programs separately. For St. Louis BSN programs, such as those at Saint Louis University, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Maryville University, Chamberlain University, and Goldfarb School of Nursing, the data is publicly available and updated at least once a year. Prospective students can compare recent cohorts to see which schools consistently outperform the national average.
Using pass rates in your decision
A high pass rate suggests a curriculum aligned with NCLEX test plans and strong clinical preparation, but it is not the only measure of program quality. Some programs with slightly lower pass rates may enroll more working students or second-career learners who face different challenges. Pair pass-rate data with other indicators like graduation rates, student support services, and clinical placement variety. Always check the most current year’s report on the Missouri Board of Nursing website before making a final choice.
St. Louis nursing schools provide multiple BSN pathways, so you can find a program that fits your background, schedule, and career goals. Whether you are starting college for the first time, switching from another field, or already working as an RN, there is a bachelor’s-level option in the region.
Traditional Four-Year BSN
Students with no prior college degree can enter a direct-entry BSN, which typically spans four years of full-time study. Saint Louis University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), Chamberlain University, and Maryville University all admit students into traditional BSN cohorts. Most follow a 48-month curriculum delivered on campus, though Chamberlain’s BSN program can be completed in as few as 36 months.1
Accelerated BSN for Career Changers
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, an accelerated BSN (ABSN) compresses nursing coursework into a short, intensive format. Saint Louis University, UMSL, Maryville University, and Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College offer ABSN programs. Expect a 12-month timeline for most, with hybrid delivery that blends online theory and in-person clinicals.2 Goldfarb’s Accelerated Upper-Division BSN is an on-campus option that typically takes 20 to 24 months for students who have completed general education requirements.1
Online RN-to-BSN Completion
Registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma can earn their BSN through flexible online RN-to-BSN programs in Missouri, with most students finishing in 12 to 24 months while continuing to work.1 The fully online format lets you study on your own schedule without a campus commute.
St. Louis Nursing Salary & Job Outlook
Registered nurses in the St. Louis MO-IL metro area earn wages that align with the region's robust healthcare economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiles detailed percentile distributions for the metro, and while annual updates shift slightly, St. Louis RNs typically see entry-level offers around $60,000, with experienced clinicians in acute or specialty roles surpassing $95,000.1
St. Louis RN Salary Overview
The May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) in the St. Louis MSA report employment levels, mean wages, and the full range from the 10th to 90th percentile. The median hovers near the national median, giving new nurses a reliable benchmark.1 Top-decile earners reflect critical-care, management, and advanced-practice pathways that significantly lift lifetime earnings.
ADN vs. BSN: Why the Degree Matters for Your Paycheck
BLS wage tables do not break out RN earnings by educational attainment, but St. Louis employers routinely reward a BSN with higher starting pay and faster advancement. National workforce studies consistently show ADN-to-BSN differentials, with BSN-earners pulling ahead within five years.2 Program-level earnings for St. Louis BSN graduates are not yet available through federal scorecard data, but the long-term return on a bachelor's degree remains a central reason nurses pursue RN-to-BSN and traditional BSN programs at nursing schools in Missouri.
Job Growth and Major Employers
National projections from the BLS point to a 6 percent increase in RN positions from 2023 to 2033, on pace with the average for all occupations.3 That growth translates directly into St. Louis hiring, where powerhouse systems like BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy operate a dense network of hospitals, specialty centers, and community clinics. Together they drive a steady local demand that supports both new graduates and career changers entering the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective nursing students in St. Louis often have the same pressing questions. Below, we answer the top queries using data from topnursing.org's school rankings and federal education sources, so you can make informed decisions about your nursing education.
What college in Missouri has the best nursing program?
According to topnursing.org's composite scoring, the University of Missouri-Columbia ranks highest among Missouri's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, with a score of 61.15. However, Bolivar Technical College's Associate Degree in Nursing program earned the top overall score statewide (70.12) due to perfect NCLEX pass rates and job placement.
Which St. Louis BSN program has the highest NCLEX pass rate?
Public NCLEX data for Saint Louis BSN programs is limited, but both Saint Louis University and Maryville University report strong licensure outcomes. Among all Missouri BSN programs tracked by topnursing.org, Truman State University (not in St. Louis) posts a 94.4% first-time pass rate, the highest verified in the state.
What are the cheapest nursing schools in St. Louis?
Based on average net price, Maryville University is the most affordable BSN option in Saint Louis, with an effective net cost of $22,066 per year. Saint Louis University's BSN has a higher net price of $24,398. For a lower-cost path outside the city, Truman State University offers a BSN at just $12,780 net price.
How long does an accelerated BSN take in St. Louis?
The University of Missouri's accelerated BSN track, open to those with a prior bachelor's degree, can be completed in about 17 months. Maryville University offers a flexible fast-track option for transfer students, while Saint Louis University's traditional four-year BSN is the standard direct-entry route.
Is an RN-to-BSN program worth it for salary in St. Louis?
Yes, an RN-to-BSN degree typically leads to higher earnings. Ten years after entering college, BSN graduates from Saint Louis University earn a median of $70,783, and University of Missouri graduates earn $63,403, well above Missouri's average registered nurse wage. Many St. Louis employers require or prefer a BSN for advancement.
More Nursing Schools Near St. Louis to Consider
Beyond the top-ranked programs, St. Louis is surrounded by accredited nursing schools offering BSN and ADN pathways. These additional options within a 75-mile radius feature flexible formats and strong clinical training to help launch your nursing career.
Offers a 20-month BSN for transfer students, a 12-month accelerated track, and a part-time weekend/evening option, all with extensive clinical experiences at top St. Louis hospitals and a Full-Ride Scholars Program.
Traditional and accelerated BSN tracks with clinical rotations through over 100 healthcare partners, a state-of-the-art simulation center, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam.
An Associate Degree in Nursing with pre-licensure and LPN-to-RN bridge options, featuring modern clinical labs and a focus on evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning.
BSN program with five enrollment tracks, 1,035 clinical hours, and a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate, emphasizing critical thinking and hands-on simulation training.
Associate of Science Nursing program with small class sizes, flexible schedules, and low tuition, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN through hands-on learning.
Associate Degree Nursing with traditional and LPN-to-RN advanced placement tracks, offered at multiple locations, with competitive admissions and no application fee.
CCNE-accredited BSN with a 96% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, clinical rotations in multiple healthcare settings, and a focused eight-week NCLEX preparation.
Two-year ADN with campus-based learning and clinical rotations, approved by the Missouri State Board and a candidate for ACEN accreditation, with BSN transition options.
BSN program in Fayette with rigorous academics and clinical practice in the Thogmorton Center for Allied Health, emphasizing integrity and compassionate care.
Associate of Nursing (RN) program with state-of-the-art simulation facilities, low student-faculty ratio, and guaranteed clinical placements at top hospitals.
