Compare BSN costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for accredited programs near Overland Park
Overland Park sits at the center of the Kansas City metro’s expanding healthcare corridor, where major hospital systems like Saint Luke’s and The University of Kansas Health System prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses, making the bachelor’s degree a baseline credential and driving demand for prelicensure programs across the region, including nursing programs in Missouri.
Students can choose from traditional four-year BSN tracks, accelerated second-degree options lasting 12 to 18 months, and online RN-to-BSN completion programs for working nurses: the quality, cost, and clinical partnerships of these programs differ sharply.
While top programs like KU School of Nursing post NCLEX pass rates near 99%, some lower-cost alternatives report lower rates, and clinical placements at regional employers directly shape job prospects.
Our ranking identifies the top nursing programs within a 45-mile radius of Overland Park, KS. Each school is evaluated on institutional graduation rates, net price, and available program pathways. Use the descriptions and bullet points to find a program that fits your goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | $12,000 – $27,000/yr | Students seeking a flagship university BSN experience | |
The University of Kansas offers a rigorous BSN that combines nursing science with a liberal arts foundation. With campuses in Lawrence and Salina, students complete two years of nursing coursework after prerequisites, benefiting from pre-nursing advising and an honors program option. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX and nursing leadership roles.
| |||||
| #2 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO | $21,000/yr | ||
Rockhurst University's BSN is offered through the Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, blending over a century of nursing education with a Jesuit approach. Students gain clinical skills in a state-of-the-art simulation center and through partnerships with top Kansas City health systems. The program boasts a low faculty-to-student ratio and dedicated NCLEX coaching, with tuition discounts for Saint Luke's employees.
| |||||
| #3 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | $14,000 – $32,000/yr | Kansas City locals pursuing an affordable public BSN | |
UMKC's BSN program prepares nurse generalists with a comprehensive approach to health care. Students can choose a traditional 4-5 year pre-licensure track or an accelerated option for second-degree seekers, with clinical experiences starting in the fall. A Direct Admit program is available for qualified high school students, and the school offers in-state tuition rates for Kansas residents through a discounted Heartland plan.
| |||||
| #4 | Donnelly College | Kansas City, KS | |||
Donnelly College offers a hybrid RN-to-BSN completion program designed for working registered nurses. Evening classes and no Friday commitments allow students to balance work and study, with courses covering evidence-based practice, nursing leadership, and population health. Graduates are prepared for roles such as nurse practitioner or nurse manager.
| |||||
| #5 | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | |||
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's Professional Nursing program leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing at the Penn Valley campus. With in-district tuition of $121 per credit and a total credit requirement of 72-76 hours, it's an affordable path to RN licensure. Recent outcomes include a 100% employment rate and a 90% NCLEX pass rate, with training at the state-of-the-art Health Science Institute.
| |||||
| #6 | MidAmerica Nazarene University | Olathe, KS | $14,000/yr | ||
MidAmerica Nazarene University provides multiple BSN pathways: a traditional program, a 12-month accelerated option for those with prior healthcare experience, and an 18-month hybrid format for working students. All programs are CCNE accredited and emphasize compassionate, servant leadership through partnerships with regional hospitals and state-of-the-art labs in Olathe, Kansas.
| |||||
| #7 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | $12,000/yr | ||
Baker University's BSN lets students spend their first two years on the Baldwin City campus before completing nursing coursework at Stormont Vail Health, a Magnet-recognized hospital in Topeka. The program boasts a first-time NCLEX pass rate exceeding 90% and a 95% graduate employment rate within three months, plus a global health mission opportunity to Kenya.
| |||||
| #8 | Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | |||
Johnson County Community College offers a highly affordable Associate Degree in Nursing through its Registered Nurse program in Overland Park. The program features small class sizes, state-of-the-art simulation, and a unique partnership with KU to simultaneously pursue a BSN. At $6,969 total program tuition for in-district students, it's one of the most cost-effective nursing pathways in the Kansas City metro.
| |||||
| #9 | Avila University | Kansas City, MO | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Avila University's BSN program emphasizes patient-centered holistic care and ethical practice, housed in Kansas City, Missouri. Students benefit from small class sizes, high-fidelity simulations, and diverse clinical placements including hospitals, clinics, schools, and hospices. The program reports a 98% job placement rate within five months and NCLEX pass rates exceeding the national average, with an accelerated pathway available.
| |||||
| #10 | University of Saint Mary | Leavenworth, KS | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of Saint Mary's BSN programs include a traditional four-year path and a 12-month accelerated option for those with prior college credit. Clinical rotations at over 20 Kansas City-area facilities, including KU Medical Center and Children's Mercy, prepare graduates with a 96% first-time NCLEX pass rate. The program is CCNE accredited and rooted in the Catholic and Vincentian tradition.
| |||||
The net price shown here is the average cost after grants and scholarships for all students at each institution, not specifically for BSN programs. These figures come from the most recent federal data and reflect what the typical student actually pays. For context, note that these schools primarily offer associate degree nursing programs, so costs for a traditional BSN may differ.
NCLEX-RN pass rates are a critical measure of program quality. KU School of Nursing leads with a 2024 pass rate of 98.39%, well above the national average for first-time test-takers. Earnings data for these programs is not yet available through the College Scorecard.
| School | NCLEX Pass Rate (2024) | Median Earnings 1 Year Post-Graduation |
|---|---|---|
| KU School of Nursing | 98.39% | N/A |
| National Average (U.S. BSN Programs) | 87-89% | N/A |
What does it take to get accepted into a BSN program in the Overland Park area, and how soon could you graduate?
Admissions requirements vary by school. Chamberlain University’s Overland Park campus uses a holistic review process and asks for a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4. Applicants must submit scores from the HESI A2, TEAS, ACT, or SAT, the school does not publish a minimum cutoff. For the University of Kansas School of Nursing, the bar is slightly higher: a 2.75 college GPA is required, along with 58 credit hours of prerequisite coursework. (KU’s program is located in Lawrence, about 40 miles west of Overland Park, but draws many metro-area students.) Other nearby private programs, such as those at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Research College of Nursing, have their own thresholds; check with each admissions office directly, as published data is sparse.
A standard prelicensure BSN at a Kansas public university typically takes four years of full-time study. Chamberlain’s curriculum, however, is designed to be completed in three years of year-round study, and the school also offers a 24-month fast-track option for highly motivated students. Accelerated second-degree tracks, for those who already hold a bachelor’s in another field, are not universally available. Chamberlain does not offer a dedicated second-degree accelerated BSN, though its fast track can shorten the timeline. For registered nurses with an ADN, RN-to-BSN completion programs in the region are widely available in hybrid or online formats and can often be finished in as little as 12 to 18 months while working.
Overall acceptance rates can be misleading. KU reports an institution-wide admit rate of 93%, but that figure reflects all undergraduate applicants, not nursing majors specifically. Nursing admission is often competitive once prerequisite grades and test scores are reviewed. Chamberlain’s holistic approach means no single stat guarantees entry, while programs with limited clinical spots may have de facto cutoffs above the published minimums. If you are a borderline candidate, strengthening your application with healthcare experience or stellar TEAS scores can make a difference.
Where you complete clinical hours often determines where you land your first nursing job. In Overland Park, BSN students benefit from relationships with some of the region's strongest hospital systems, making these partnerships a pivotal factor when comparing programs.
Chamberlain University's Overland Park campus also coordinates placements across these sites, often allowing students to experience more than one system during their program.
Clinical rotations double as extended job interviews. Units that work with students routinely hire high-performing graduates, so the hospital where you rotate can directly shape your first position. Many Overland Park nursing graduates accept offers from the same floors where they completed their preceptorships, skipping the lengthy application and orientation cycle.
The clinical experience you accumulate translates into real earning power. The Kansas City metropolitan area, which includes Overland Park, consistently posts RN wages above the national average. According to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median annual salary for registered nurses in the Kansas City metro sat near $82,000 in 2025.
If you're considering nursing school in Overland Park, you likely have questions about local BSN programs, tuition, and exam pass rates. These frequently asked questions provide quick, straightforward answers to help you compare your options across the Kansas City metro area.
Choosing a BSN program in Overland Park comes down to three factors: net price after aid, NCLEX-RN pass rates, and clinical placement opportunities. Chamberlain’s local campus and the University of Kansas School of Nursing each offer distinct advantages: KU’s pass rate (98.39% in 2024) stands out, while Chamberlain’s rolling admissions can accelerate your start. Both feed into major employers like the University of Kansas Health System and Overland Park Regional Medical Center, so clinical rotations often turn into job interviews. If you’re open to options beyond the immediate metro, Kansas nursing schools reveal additional programs across the state.
