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Best Nursing Schools in Missouri in 2023 (On-Campus & Online)

Best Nursing Schools in Missouri in 2023 (On-Campus & Online)

Best Nursing Schools in Missouri in 2020 (On-Campus & Online)Are you looking for a nursing school in St. Louis? Kansas City? Another city in Missouri? You’re in luck. Pursue your nursing degree now and achieve your dream of having a nursing career. The nursing schools in Missouri will provide students with the tools needed to succeed, whether starting out in their first nursing program or continuing their nursing education.

Job growth rates, great salary, and open positions due to nursing shortages mean that you’ll potentially receive the job that you want after completing your nursing program. Do you want to attend registered nurse schools in Missouri or practical nursing schools in Missouri? There are many nursing program options for you to choose from when you consider these best nursing programs in Missouri. 

What is the outlook for nurses in Missouri?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the expected job growth for nurses between 2018 and 2028 is ‘much faster than average,’ when compared to other types of careers. This is true for all levels of nursing professions, including licensed professional nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and for nurse practitioners (DNP).

The nursing shortage is partially fueled by the number of nurses expected to retire soon. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reveals information from the Health Resources and Services Administration, who projects that more than one million registered nurses will retire within the next several years. This, along with increases in the number of people with chronic medical conditions, and an aging population helps increase the job outlook for individuals in the nursing profession. Whether you’re looking for an RN to BSN nursing program in Missouri or another type of nursing program, you’ll be sure to find an option below.

These best nursing schools in Missouri offer programs that help you begin your nursing career or increase your opportunities in nursing with an advanced degree.

1. Crowder College – Neosho – LPN to ASN Bridge

Crowder College has several locations, including its Neosho campus. The school boasts an impressive first-time NCLEX pass rate of 100 percent for three consecutive years at this location

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) bridge program offers current LPNs the opportunity to enter the nursing program with advanced standing. Learn the nursing skills necessary for outpatient or in-patient settings, promoting preventive care, administering medications, and collaborating with healthcare providers.

  • Tuition: $92 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

2. Missouri Valley College – BSN

Missouri Valley College, located in Marshall, Missouri, offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for students that wish to earn their degree in a program with a traditional curriculum. Students gain the foundation for providing excellence in nursing care and learn to provide evidence-based care across a variety of health settings.

The school also offers an LPN to BSN program.

  • Tuition: $350 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

3. Park University – RN to BSN Online

The Park University RN to BSN program option provides students that have current RN licensure the opportunity to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The university, located in Parkville, also has a pre-licensure BSN program for students with no prior nursing experience. The RN to BSN degree is entirely online, which likely makes clinical rotations easy because the university allows students to complete their clinical rotations at approved locations near their own home. 

The school offers several discounts for qualified active-duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents, Veterans, National Guard members, and U.S. federal employees. Check with the school for information about specific tuition discounts. Park University utilizes the latest innovations in nursing education and pledges its support to help you succeed as a student in the RN to BSN online program.

  • Tuition: $415 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

4. Missouri State Western University – BSN

Missouri State Western University offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program for students that want to pursue a traditional BSN program. The St. Joseph, Missouri school provides classroom instruction in a lecture format, clinical experiences at state-of-the-art locations around the Kansas City area, and hands-on learning experiences at the nursing simulation lab. Students have the opportunity to work with nursing faculty on research projects.

  • Tuition: $217.72 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 95%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

5. Missouri State University – BSN

The traditional bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program at Missouri State University prepares students for a nursing career across a variety of healthcare settings. Students gain the professional skills required of nurses, along with other skills that help them in their nursing career. The school reveals that nursing students ‘give back’ to the community residents in need of care.

Receive one-on-one attention from faculty as you progress through the program. The Missouri State University BSN program graduates have a 100 percent job placement rate within one month of their graduation.

  • Tuition: approx. $437.50 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 97.9%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

6. Truman State University – ABSN

The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Truman State University allows you to complete your degree in just 18 months. Students pursue the degree through classroom and clinical experiences. The university, located in Kirksville, Missouri, provides this program for students that currently hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline.

Students gain the experience of working with patients in a safe environment at the Nursing Simulation Center. Do you want to have additional experiences to prepare you for nursing opportunities around the globe? The school offers the opportunity for you to study abroad, in the Philippines, Costa Rica, South Africa, or other possible locations.

  • Tuition: approx. $324.50 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 95.9%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

7. Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences – AAS

The Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences has an impressive 100 percent graduation rate. Students in the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program focus on classroom instruction, hands-on opportunities, and individualized instruction.

There are four tracks available within the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program, including a full-time basic track for students with no previous nursing experience, an accelerated LPN to RN bridge track, the part-time weekend and evenings LPN to RN bridge track, and the part-time Paramedic to RN track. Choose your ideal track and pursue your dream of having a nursing career.

  • Tuition: $412 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 96%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

8. William Jewell College – BSN

Complete your traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at William Jewell College in three years instead of four years. Start your clinical experiences in your sophomore year, while also participating in the classroom and lab experiences.

William Jewell College nursing faculty prepares nursing students for a career using a holistic approach, which treats the whole person. Gain an advantage in understanding the complexities of nursing through learning experiences that develop critical thinking skills, leadership, and accountability skills. Students have other learning opportunities that help guide William Jewell College nursing students through the school’s emphasis that includes service and practice to others. Students that complete this program have a 100 percent employment rate within three months of graduation, landing this school a coveted spot on this list of nursing schools in Missouri.

  • Tuition: approx. $744.44 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

9. Maryville University – MSN

Maryville University, located just over 20 miles from Downtown St. Louis, offers the Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing program for students that want to obtain their MSN in an on-campus setting. Choose the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration or the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration.

The MSN program at Maryville University prepares current RNs for advanced practice nursing. Students have several clinical opportunities to further their hands-on experience at top local medical facilities. Students also gain the expertise needed in advanced level nursing practice when they participate in the real-life setting on campus that resembles the healthcare environments where the MSN program graduates will work.

The school has small class sizes, and a high career placement rate.

  • Tuition: $813 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

10. College of the Ozarks – BSN

The College of the Ozarks offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for students that attend classes at the Point Lookout, Missouri campus. Students complete courses in a designated sequence, over six semesters. Participate in a traditional learning environment, along with clinical experiences at rural to metropolitan settings in the Ozark Mountains.

The school indicates that expert nursing educators facilitate instruction in areas such as pediatrics, adult health, geriatric health, community health, maternity, and mental health. Learn in the simulated patient lab, which is a safe environment without risk.

The school offers several opportunities to reduce tuition and other costs.

  • Tuition: $310 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 89.8%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

11. Lincoln University – AAS

Lincoln University offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in nursing for students that want to gain entry-level positions in nursing at hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, or other healthcare settings. Students participate in laboratory experiences, along with clinical rotations, in addition to classroom instruction. This prepares students that want to immediately work in nursing or pursue an advanced nursing degree.

This unique program is taught on the U.S. Military Base at Fort Leonard Wood. The program accepts 20 students that are in the military or are military-affiliated, along with 20 civilian students into the program every fall semester.

  • Tuition: $218.25 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 89.29%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

12. St. Louis University – AMSN (Accelerated)

Do you have a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to start a career in nursing? The St. Louis University Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (AMSN) program prepares students to sit for both the nursing licensure exam and for certification as a clinical nurse leader. The direct-entry program allows students to complete this unique program in just five semesters, over a 21-month period.

Students begin clinical rounds in the first semester of this program and participate in state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory simulation experiences.

  • Tuition: approx. $1312 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 91.3%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

13. Missouri Southern State University – BSN

Gain the skills and knowledge that you need to succeed in nursing with a Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. Learn to practice within the nursing professional standards of care, and apply research to nursing practice. Use current technologies applied in nursing as you learn the skills required for the role of care provider, collaborator, advocate, and leader in the nursing profession.

  • Tuition: $242.96 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 89%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

14. University of Missouri – Columbia – Accelerated BSN

The Columbia campus of the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing offers the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN degree in a traditional on-campus format. Complete the accelerated BSN with just 55 credit hours. Students that have a bachelor’s degree in another area from an accredited college or university have the opportunity to earn their BSN in nursing while participating in a variety of direct and indirect patient care situations. Learn to provide nursing care to individuals, families, specific groups and populations, and communities.

  • Tuition: approx. $477 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 94%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

15. Avila University – BSN

As one of the nursing schools in Kansas City, Missouri, the traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Avila University prepares students for a career as a highly motivated, committed nurse with skills to take them into the future of nursing. Students at this top nursing school in Missouri will learn important nursing skills that range from basic care to intensive nursing care. Avila University nursing students build on those skills through the interactive simulation lab, which facilitates the nursing skills learned in the classroom, along with critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

The school offers a four-year graduation guarantee and tuition protection.

  • Tuition: $495 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 95%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

16. University of Missouri – Kansas City – RN to BSN Online

The University of Missouri – Kansas City location offers an affordable nursing program for students that want to pursue an online nursing degree. The RN to BSN option allows students to complete their RN to BSN program in an entirely online format. Students do not have to meet at a campus location for traditional courses, meetings, or for other reasons.

The school explains that it is a ‘nationally based program,’ recognized for its innovation and effective use of technology in nursing. The program offers flexible schedules, peer mentoring, and opportunities for real-world interactive experiences. Missouri residents receive a tuition reduction, paying $299.70 per credit hour.

  • Tuition: $449.55 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 91%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Bonus Nursing Programs 100% Online

Penn State World Campus – DNP Online

The Penn State World Campus Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses to become leaders and deliver expertise in nursing. The practice-focused degree program is for students with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. There are two options, either the BS to DNP, which is a 61-credit hour degree program, or the MSN to DNP option, which is a 38 to 46 credit hour program.

Meet the ever-changing demands in nursing with this degree, which provides the same rigorous education as an on-campus traditional program. The online DNP program requires two four-day campus visits.

  • Tuition: $924 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Eastern Kentucky University – MSN Online

Complete your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online at Eastern Kentucky University, which is authorized to provide instruction and degree programs for Missouri nursing students. The university offers courses that can be completed in as little as eight weeks.

Advance your current nursing career in a flexible 100 percent online MSN program, where you receive instruction in the same courses, from the same instructors that teach on-campus courses. Active duty members of the U.S. Military receive a tuition discount.

  • Tuition: $662 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 96.6%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Maryville University – RN to BSN – Online

Complete your Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing at Maryville University in a 100 percent online format. The program, designed for current RNs, features no application fees, and no entrance exams. Qualify for advanced nursing opportunities upon completion of the RN to BSN program. The school indicates that it has the distinction of being the ‘4th fastest-growing university in the U.S.’

  • Tuition: $500 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 91.25%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Methodology

We selected each school and nursing program by assigning a score for selected criteria, including tuition costs, first-time NCLEX pass rates, and accreditation. We try to do our best to be fair, honest, and accurate in our representation of each school by gathering information directly from each school and program, or from the NCES.

No school can pay us for higher ratings. Any supported school is listed separately and listed as SPONSORED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition rates or other information as these things occasionally change. It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to know current tuition costs, additional fees, and other information.

If you would like to have your school included in our rankings, or listed as a supported school, please contact us.

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