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Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Missouri

16 Min Read Published May 24, 2024
Downtown St. Louis Missouri over the river with arch in the distance

Looking to become a nurse in Missouri? Nurse.org put together a list of the top nursing schools in Missouri to help you choose the right program for you.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org

As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis. We independently research schools and programs for nurses and strive to write recommendations that genuinely reflect our true opinion of the product or service. Where relevant, our recommendations may incorporate feedback from 500,000+ nurses in our social communities.

✔ Evaluated 1,100+ accredited nursing school programs using the latest U.S. government data sets. Learn more about our ranking methodology

✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.

✔ Connected 1,500,000+ nurses to educational programs since 2020.

Top 10 Nursing Schools in Missouri

This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors, including,

  • Reputation
  • NCLEX-RN pass rate
  • Tuition
  • Acceptance rate, when available
  • Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible 

Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.

  • Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
  • Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
  • Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC
  • Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN

Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Missouri nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.

In-State Tuition
$7,761 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,331 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
Yes

With 8,000 students, Southeast Missouri State University fits somewhere between a large and small college. Based on the banks of the Mississippi River, students get a true campus experience at Southeast.

Southeast also happens to be home to one of the most storied nursing programs in the state. Founded in 1958, the Department of Nursing offers a traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The BSN is transfer-friendly for anyone who already started their college education. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 20%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $259
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $478
Contact Information:
  • Address: One University Plaza, MS2025, Cape Girardeau, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $53,358

 

In-State Tuition
$10,452 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$30,441 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
Yes

The University of Missouri-Columbia, better known by its nickname "Mizzou," is among the top public research schools in the nation. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that nearly half of all students graduate with no debt. An affordable education at a nationally renowned school should be more than enough to attract students to the Sinclair School of Nursing.

Nursing degrees are available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The Sinclair School of Nursing is part of the University of Missouri Health System, one of the largest healthcare networks in the state. Students earning a BSN could connect with some of the top facilities in the region. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 13%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $348
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,015
Contact Information:
  • Address: 105 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,066

 

In-State Tuition
$24,000 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,000 per year
Accreditation
CCNE, ACEN
Online?
No

Based in the city of Hannibal, Hannibal-LaGrange University is a small school with less than 700  students. With a small student body, students get the benefit of focused education.

The nursing school at HLG is a perfect example of this. This past year, 100% of nursing graduates found a job, and 90% had a job offer at graduation. While HLG doesn't offer a traditional BSN, the 3+1 associate BSN lets you complete your BSN and become an RN in four years. Hannibal-LaGrange is worth looking at if students are interested in a small, focused, private nursing education. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 17%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $800
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $800
Contact Information:
  • Address: 2800 Palmyra Rd, Hannibal, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 58%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

In-State Tuition
$22,390 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,390 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

Avila University is a Catholic school with just over 1,300 undergraduate students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of just 12:1, nursing students are all but guaranteed to have small class sizes.

The nursing program more than adequately prepares students for a career in nursing, and the high NCLEX pass rate demonstrates the quality of the program. Admissions to Avila University’s nursing program is highly competitive, with a 42% admission rate.  It's also worth noting that Avila's tuition includes books and campus fees, which makes budgeting easy. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 68%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 17%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $895
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $895
Contact Information:
  • Address: 11901 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,137

 

In-State Tuition
$9,332 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$25,805 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
Yes

In-state students benefit from the University of Missouri - Kansas City's low in-state tuition, though Kansas and Heartland residents also receive significant tuition discounts. Despite the 16,000 students at UMKC, the school manages an impressive 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Students interested in a BSN have multiple options to choose from: a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-BSN. An MSN, doctor nurse practitioner (DNP), and Ph.D. in nursing are also offered by UMKC. Nursing graduates passed the NCLEX-RN at a high clip last year, and pass rates have been trending upward.

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 6%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $333
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $922
Contact Information:
  • Address: 5000 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $59,872

 

In-State Tuition
$8,690 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$16,712 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

Consistently ranked one of the top public schools in the Midwest, Truman State excels in helping students find relevant jobs after graduation. This means that nursing students earning a BSN can expect to pass the NCLEX and find a position upon completing the program.

Common landing spots for graduates include the Mayo Clinic, Children's Mercy Hospital, and University of Missouri Hospitals. Along with the four-year BSN, Truman State offers an accelerated BSN that can be finished in 18 months. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 45%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 16%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $362
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $696
Contact Information:
  • Address: 100 E Normal Avenue, Kirksville, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $56,028

 

In-State Tuition
$49,800 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,800 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

St. Louis University is among the oldest Catholic schools in the nation and recently celebrated 200 years of education excellence. With a little over 7,000 students, SLU is also a larger private school, though students have plenty of room on SLU's extensive campus. Students interested in nursing have three BSN options: traditional, accelerated, and RN-BSN.

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing opened in 1928 and has been a regional leader in nursing education ever since. The high NCLEX pass rate is proof of this program's quality. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 8%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,740
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,740
Contact Information:
  • Address: One North Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 87%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $59,004

 

In-State Tuition
$4,230 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,460 per year
Accreditation
ACEN
Online?
No

Missouri State University has an incredibly low in-state tuition, and out-of-state students with high enough ACT/SAT test scores and GPAs are offered the same tuition rate. So, if your high school academics are strong, you're guaranteed in-state tuition.

If the low tuition cost isn't reason enough to earn a nursing degree at Missouri State, then the high NCLEX pass rate for recent grads should suffice. Undergraduate nursing students choose from the traditional four-year BSN or the nursing degree completion program.

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: N/A
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 32%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $141
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $282
Contact Information:
  • Address: 128 Garfield Avenue, West Plains, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

 

In-State Tuition
$24,766 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,766 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
Yes

Located just a short drive from downtown St. Louis, Maryville University is a relatively low-cost private school. While Maryville has over 10,000 students, 6,400 of them study online. Of course, nursing students earning a BSN must complete their clinicals in person, though some courses can be completed online.

Maryville also gives every on-campus student an iPad loaded with useful apps to make education easier for nurses. Maryville's innovative system must work since they have a high NCLEX pass rate and an impressive 97% career placement rate. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 66%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $781
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $781
Contact Information:
  • Address: 650 Maryville University Drive, Saint Louis, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $55,964

 

In-State Tuition
$11,693 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,960 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

The University of Missouri-St. Louis has one of the largest nursing programs in the state, recently graduating 193 nurses. Such large class sizes could make this one of the easier nursing programs to get into. The three main undergraduate options, a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-BSN, all have impressive NCLEX and employment outcomes.

 Also, UMSL's in-state tuition is extended to Illinois residents. A per-credit fee of $220 per hour is also charged for undergraduate nursing courses — something to keep in mind before applying.

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 51%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 18%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $418
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,070
Contact Information:
  • Address: One University Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $56,845

 

Nurse Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

  • Missouri nurses earn an annual mean wage of $67,790, lower than the national mean wage.
  • Missouri has a location quotient of 1.17, meaning it employs more nurses per 1,000 workers than the national average. 

Yes, Missouri nurses earn less than the national average for nurses; however, nurses in Missouri had a higher mean wage than nurses in neighbors Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Missouri is also a large employer of nurses with over 69,240 nurses currently employed and working. This makes Missouri one of the nation's higher nursing employers. 

The majority of nursing positions in Missouri are in the St. Louis and Kansas City regions. If you want to live and work in Missouri, either of these metropolitan areas could be your future home. 

Next Steps

Once you've looked over some colleges and nursing programs you're interested in, the next steps are to get in touch with each school, check admission requirements, and submit your applications. It's in your best interest to apply to more than one college in case one school decides to give you an unbeatable financial aid package. 

Here are the next steps in detail:

  • Contact each school’s admissions offices. The admissions office helps applicants learn more about requirements and application details. Before you start your applications, contact each school's admissions office to learn more.

  • Check to see if you meet the nursing school requirements. In addition to college admission requirements, you must meet the requirements for the nursing program. Make sure you're on track for nursing school eligibility. 

  • Submit your application(s). After you've completed your research and prepared your application materials, the final step is to submit your applications! Pay special attention to application deadlines as they vary from school to school. 

Materials you'll likely need for your application include:

  • High school transcript (GPA)

  • ACT and/or SAT scores

  • College entrance essay(s)

  • Letter(s) of recommendation

Important Considerations When Comparing Schools 

After applying to schools, you'll begin to receive acceptance letters in the mail! Your final task is to select a college. If the right choice isn't clear, consider comparing each school you've been accepted to. When in doubt, pick the school and program that best fits your personal wants and needs.

Factors to consider when comparing schools include:

  • Tuition cost and cost of the nursing program
  • Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
  • Cost of living on-campus or in the area
  • School and nursing program acceptance rate
  • Direct entry vs. separate application for the nursing program
  • Daily commute to school/hospitals
  • Length of program
  • Program outcomes (NCLEX pass rate and job placement)
  • School accreditation (regional and national)

Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation  

Accrediting bodies are in charge of verifying the quality of academic programs. When looking at colleges, the two types of accreditation to look for are regional and programmatic. In Missouri, the regional accrediting body is the Higher Learning Commission

The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are

If you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation. 

Getting a License in Missouri

As part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), Missouri follows a standardized set of requirements for nursing licensure. Also, becoming licensed in Missouri counts as licensure in most US states.

To get a license in Missouri, you'll need to:

The Missouri Division of Professional Registration also suggests that you have your official transcript sent to the Board of Nursing office immediately after graduating. 

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Conclusion 

Missouri is a high employer of nurses, and the two major metropolitan areas give BSN graduates options. Missouri is also home to plenty of excellent nursing programs, many of which are in-state and offer discounted tuition to Missouri residents. After completing a BSN and becoming licensed, nurses are eligible to work in most US states thanks to the eNLC.

Find Nursing Programs

References:

BLS

Missouri Division of Professional Registration

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