Missouri Nursing Schools And Programs

Missouri has nearly 70 associate and BSN programs, so the real task is narrowing the field, not finding options. This guide covers the accredited programs worth considering, how to earn an RN or APRN license, and what nurses can expect to earn.

The Best Nursing Schools in Missouri

College of the Ozarks

A small nonprofit, College of the Ozarks offers a traditional four-year BSN. Clinical courses cover adult health, community health, geriatrics, maternity, and mental health, and the program ends with a preceptorship under a registered nurse.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
• Campus: Point Lookout, Missouri
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $19,500 per year
• Admission Requirements: 2.75 GPA; ACT with preferred score of 21; HESI A2 exam scores; admissions interview
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $52,107 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Rockhurst University

Rockhurst offers a traditional BSN, an online RN bridge to a bachelor's or master's, and a hybrid accelerated BSN for people who already hold a non-nursing degree. Master's tracks include adult-gerontology acute care and family nurse practitioner. The university arranges clinical placements.

• Program(s): BSN (traditional, RN-to-BSN, accelerated); MSN
• Campus: Kansas City, Missouri
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN $20,350 per year; RN-to-BSN $325 per credit hour; accelerated BSN $783 per credit hour; MSN $735 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: 3.3 GPA with 21 ACT, or 3.2 GPA with 22 ACT, or 3.8 GPA (test-optional)
• RN-to-BSN: RN license; 36 transferable credits from a nursing associate degree or diploma; 2.0 GPA
• Accelerated BSN: prerequisites with a "C" or higher; 2.7 GPA
• MSN: nursing degree; 3.0 GPA; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-16 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $60,213 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

William Jewell College

Jewell's BSN has four entry points: traditional three- and four-year plans, transfer entry, and an accelerated track. The program emphasizes clinical skills, critical thinking, and leadership, with placements at area healthcare providers.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
• Campus: Liberty, Missouri
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $18,360 per year full time; $39,500 per accelerated program
• Admission Requirements:
• High school seniors: college prep prerequisites; optional ACT or SAT scores
• Transfer students: 26 transferable credits; 2.8 GPA; pre-nursing exam scores
• Accelerated BSN: non-nursing bachelor's degree; 2.8 GPA; pre-nursing exam scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-16 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.5% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,403 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Maryville University

Maryville offers three campus BSN paths: a traditional four-year program, a transfer fast track, and a part-time evening and weekend option. Full-time students get an iPad loaded with course materials. The university also lists online programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

• Program(s): BSN; RN-to-BSN; MSN; DNP; BSN-to-DNP
• Campus: St. Louis, Missouri
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN $24,766 per year full time, $781 per credit hour part time; RN-to-BSN $500 per credit hour; graduate programs $813-$897 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements:
• Four-year BSN: 3.25 GPA and 3.0 in math/science prerequisites, or 23 ACT and 20 in math/science, or SAT 1100-1190
• Fast-track BSN: 63 general education credits; 3.25 GPA
• Evening/weekend BSN: 63 general education credits; 3.0 GPA
• RN-to-BSN: RN license; 2.5 GPA
• Graduate programs: nursing degree; 3.0-3.25 GPA; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes for BSN
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $55,964 (bachelor's), $93,724 (master's), $123,527 (doctoral), according to College Scorecard

St. Louis University

SLU offers a bachelor's or master's in traditional or accelerated format, plus an online RN-to-BSN completion. Master's students can specialize as nurse practitioners (online) or clinical nurse leaders. The school also runs an online DNP and a hybrid Ph.D.

• Program(s): BSN; RN-to-BSN; MSN; DNP; Ph.D.
• Campus: St. Louis, Missouri
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN $24,050 per year full time, $1,680 per credit hour part time; RN-to-BSN $485 per credit hour; MSN $1,150 per credit hour; DNP $1,220 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: 3.2 high school GPA; math/science prerequisites
• Accelerated BSN: non-nursing bachelor's or 77 transferable credits; 3.2 GPA
• RN-to-BSN: nursing diploma or associate degree; RN license
• Accelerated MSN: non-nursing bachelor's; 3.2 GPA
• MSN: BSN; 3.2-3.25 GPA; RN license for NP track
• DNP: MSN; 3.25 GPA; RN license; advanced practice credentials and experience
• Ph.D.: BSN or MSN; 3.25 GPA; national certification; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.8% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,004 (bachelor's), $92,243 (master's), $108,649 (doctoral), according to College Scorecard

University of Missouri

Mizzou offers campus-based traditional and accelerated BSN degrees, plus online RN-to-BSN completion and graduate tracks leading to master's degrees in nursing and care management, a DNP, and a Ph.D.

• Program(s): BSN; RN-to-BSN; MSN; MS in care management; DNP; Ph.D.
• Campus: Columbia, Missouri
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN $49,400 per program; accelerated BSN $26,512 per program; RN-to-BSN $13,222 per program; MSN $19,000-$28,000 per program; MS care management $19,000 per program; DNP $41,228 (BSN entry) or $21,670 (MSN entry) per program
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: pre-nursing prerequisites; 3.25 GPA
• Accelerated BSN: non-nursing bachelor's; 3.0 GPA
• RN-to-BSN: 2.5 GPA; RN license or eligibility; general education prerequisites
• MSN: BSN or MSN; 3.0 GPA; RN license
• MS care management: health-related bachelor's; 3.0 GPA; licensure if applicable
• DNP/Ph.D.: BSN and 3.3 GPA, or MSN and 3.5 GPA (Ph.D. also accepts non-nursing degree holders)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 14 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes for BSN programs
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.4% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,066 (bachelor's), $89,564 (master's), $100,008 (doctoral), according to College Scorecard

Moberly Area Community College

MACC runs two-year associate and one-year accelerated nursing degrees, a practical nursing certificate, and CNA training. Associate graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN can transition into Missouri BSN programs.

• Program(s): ADN; practical nursing (LPN) certificate; CNA
• Campus: Moberly, Missouri
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Tuition: ADN/PN $100 per credit hour in-district, $181 in-state, $240 out-of-state; CNA $1,000 per program
• Admission Requirements:
• ADN: TEAS score of 58; 2.7 GPA; math and physiology or microbiology prerequisites; plus LPN license and 23 college credits for the accelerated track
• PN: TEAS score of 58; 2.5 GPA; math and human anatomy prerequisites
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $53,608 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

Crowder College

Crowder offers an associate RN degree and an LPN certificate, with advanced standing for LPNs entering the associate program. Graduates qualify for the NCLEX with entry-level competencies built through classroom and hands-on work.

• Program(s): Associate of science in nursing (ASN)
• Campus: Neosho, Missouri
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): ACEN; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Tuition: $118 per credit in-district; $199 per credit out-of-state/district
• Admission Requirements:
• ASN: age 19 at completion; high school diploma or GED; 2.75 GPA and 19 ACT, or 3.0 GPA and 18 ACT; nursing assistant or paramedic certification; plus LPN certificate for advanced standing
• LPN: high school diploma or GED; TEAS scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $45,145 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

St. Charles Community College

SCCC's associate degree blends science and liberal arts courses, nursing lectures and labs, and clinical placements. Advanced placement may apply to LPNs and transfer students. The college also runs CNA and practical nursing training.

• Program(s): ADN; CNA; LPN
• Campus: Cottleville, Missouri
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): ACEN; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Tuition: ADN $221 per credit hour in-district, $274 out-of-district; PN $146 per credit hour in-district, $199 out-of-district; CNA $550-$600 per program, plus $350 clinical internship
• Admission Requirements: English and math completed with a "C" or higher, or placement test results; anatomy and physiology with a "B" or higher ("C" accepted for PN); 3.0 college GPA, or 2.8 high school/college GPA (2.5 for LPN) with 22 ACT, or a sliding GPA/ACT scale; HESI A2 score of 75
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $54,109 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

Cox College

Cox offers associate and bachelor's degrees with accelerated and bridge options for transfers, LPNs (LPN-to-RN), and RNs (RN-to-BSN). The master's adds family nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health NP concentrations. The college arranges clinical placements.

• Program(s): ASN; BSN; MSN
• Campus: Springfield, Missouri
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): ACEN; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: ASN $435 per credit hour; BSN $420; RN-to-BSN $415; MSN $600
• Admission Requirements:
• ASN/BSN: high school diploma or GED; 2.0 GPA; 18 ACT or 860 SAT; 12 college hours for transfers or a bachelor's for accelerated; RN license for the RN-to-BSN bridge
• LPN-to-RN: math proficiency; prerequisites; 2.5 GPA in science and 3.0 cumulative GPA
• MSN: 3.0 BSN-level GPA; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.4% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $49,613 (associate), $53,358 (bachelor's), $97,959 (master's), according to College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Missouri

Weigh the degree type you want, cost and financial aid, admission requirements and acceptance rates, and the NCLEX-RN pass rate. If you plan to study online, confirm the school can arrange clinical placements in your community. Accreditation is the single most important quality signal, so this guide lists only accredited programs.

Why Become a Nurse in Missouri

Missouri belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, so graduates can apply for a multistate license that covers practice across compact states. The state's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate runs about 90%, above the national average of 86.6%. Add a low cost of living and steady RN demand, and the math works in a new nurse's favor.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Missouri

Missouri RNs average about $77,600 a year and nurse practitioners about $124,600, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024). The state cost-of-living index sits near 90, roughly 10% below the national average.

Missouri also funds scholarships and loan forgiveness for nurses who commit to working in medically underserved areas, which stretches that salary further.

The top-paying metros all host academic medical centers: Kansas City leads, followed by St. Louis, Columbia, St. Joseph, and Jefferson City.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Missouri

Once you meet the state's licensing requirements, you can apply for a single-state or multistate license. A criminal background check with fingerprinting is required.

RN Requirements

The Missouri State Board of Nursing requires graduation from an approved professional nursing program that meets the board's criteria for curriculum and exam pass rates. Students may apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN before graduating and can test once the board approves them. While waiting for official scores, candidates may practice for up to 90 days on a temporary license.

Missouri does not require continuing education for license renewal. RNs renew on April 30 of each odd-numbered year. Check with your employer for any workplace continuing education requirements the state does not impose.

APRN Requirements

APRNs complete a graduate nursing program built for advanced practice, at the master's or doctoral level, that meets the board's standards. Most graduate programs require an RN license in good standing before you start.

Missouri requires APRNs to hold an active RN license and a national certification from an approved body, with ongoing proof that the certification stays current. The state remains restricted-practice: NPs must maintain a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician to prescribe medications and deliver certain treatments. As of 2026, that requirement is the subject of active litigation and legislation, but it still stands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Missouri

How long does it take to get an RN license in Missouri?

It varies. You apply and submit transcripts, test scores, and background checks, and processing time differs from applicant to applicant.

What are the top employment settings for nurses in Missouri?

As of 2021, most Missouri RNs (60.4%) worked in hospital inpatient care, per the state board of nursing. Another 6% worked in physicians' offices or ambulatory primary care, 5% in long-term care, and 3.5% in home health.

How many times can you take the NCLEX in Missouri?

Up to eight times per year, with at least 45 days between attempts. You apply and pay for each attempt.

What is the median salary for nurses in Missouri?

Nationally the median RN wage was $93,600 in May 2024 (BLS). Missouri RNs average about $77,600 and NPs about $124,600, with Kansas City the top-paying metro for RNs.

What is the most common degree for nurses in Missouri?

As of 2021, the state board reports the BSN is most common at 53.8% of RNs. Another 31.2% hold an associate degree, 7.1% a master's, and 0.1% a doctorate.