Best Nursing Schools in Missouri

Missouri Western State University’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program combines general education, nursing support, and nursing coursework to prepare students for a career in professional nursing. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through a high-tech simulation lab, small clinical groups with a 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio, and clinical experiences in state-of-the-art healthcare settings across St. Joseph and the greater Kansas City region. A Senior Capstone course provides a reality-based transition to the RN role, while research opportunities with experienced faculty allow students to deepen their understanding of healthcare. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and enter the nursing profession with a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and patient care.

• CCNE accredited
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• 10:1 clinical student-instructor ratio
• High-tech patient simulators
• Senior Capstone course
• Research with faculty
• Personal faculty-student interactions
• State-of-the-art clinical settings

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at UMKC prepares nurse generalists with a comprehensive approach to health care. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and accountability, covering health management across diverse populations. Students choose between a traditional 4-5 year pre-licensure track for first-time nursing students or an accelerated option for those with a prior bachelor's degree. Both tracks include clinical experiences that begin in the fall. Graduates are equipped for roles as registered nurses in hospitals, community clinics, and other health care settings. A Direct Admit program is available for qualified high school students. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment with faculty mentorship, preparing students to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families, and communities.

• 2 concentration options
• Starts fall
• Traditional 4-5 year BSN
• Accelerated BSN for second degree
• Direct Admit for high school students
• Fall clinical program start
• January supplemental application deadline

The University of Missouri-Kansas City's Accelerated BSN program lets students with a prior bachelor's degree earn a BSN in five semesters. With over 1,050 clinical hours—the most in the region—graduates are prepared for nursing practice. The curriculum covers adult medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, mental health, community health, leadership, and critical care nursing. A 300-hour capstone internship provides focused specialty experience. Daytime classes, a health sciences campus shared with medicine and pharmacy, and diverse clinical placements enhance learning. Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nutrition, requiring a minimum 2.75 GPA. Kansas residents pay in-state tuition; discounted rates apply for 15 Midwestern states. Applications open each fall for the following year's cohort.

• 5-Semester program
• Complete in In less than two years
• Starts fall
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• 1050 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• 300-hour capstone internship
• Interprofessional learning campus
• Kansas in-state tuition

St. Charles Community College's Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program offers a comprehensive pathway to becoming a registered nurse. The curriculum blends foundational sciences with nursing theory and hands-on clinical training in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Students develop skills in patient-centered care, clinical judgment, safety, and informatics. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam and have secured positions at BJC and SSM Health. The program features small cohorts, integrated coursework, and a focus on application-based learning. Both traditional and LPN-to-ADN bridge options are available. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, the program offers a cost-effective route to a rewarding career. Experienced faculty and strong clinical partnerships ensure students gain the confidence and competence needed for modern healthcare.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: HESI
• $14,658 total program tuition
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Located at Dardenne Creek Campus

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Missouri Southern State University is a campus-based program that prepares students for registered nursing licensure and careers in healthcare. Featuring a curriculum grounded in hands-on learning and professional development, the program covers essential nursing knowledge, patient care skills, and clinical judgment. Students benefit from dedicated faculty mentorship and small class sizes supported by recent state funding. The BSN program boasts outstanding outcomes: a 100% NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rate and 100% employment within six months of graduation (2024-2025). It is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and ranked #10 among BSN programs in Missouri by NursingSchoolsAlmanac.com. With a focus on compassion, care, and commitment, MSSU equips graduates to meet the growing demand for nurses in the Joplin region and beyond.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• State funding supports smaller class sizes
• Accelerated nursing degree pathway available

Ozarks Technical Community College's Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) prepares students for a career as a Registered Nurse in as little as two years, or 65 credit hours across four semesters. The program is offered on the Springfield and Table Rock campuses, with two distinct pathways: a Direct Entry route for those entering nursing without prior healthcare credentials, and a Completion pathway designed for licensed LPNs and paramedics who want to advance to RN status in approximately 36 weeks. Students build hands-on skills in assessing patient conditions, monitoring medical equipment, creating care plans, administering medication, and communicating with families. Clinical experiences take place at local hospitals at least one day per week, giving students real patient care exposure throughout the program. Both hybrid and blended cohort formats allow flexibility in how coursework is delivered, combining online instruction with in-person labs, simulations, and clinicals. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, and posted a 98.3% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 100% job placement rate in 2024. Graduates go on to work in hospitals, physician offices, home health care, nursing facilities, and government agencies across Southwest Missouri and beyond.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• 2-Year program
• 65 total credit hours
• 98% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Two pathways: Direct Entry and LPN/Paramedic Completion
• 98.3% NCLEX pass rate, 2024

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a direct-entry program that immerses you in nursing from day one. The curriculum balances science, nursing theory, and liberal arts, covering topics from health assessment and pathophysiology to psychiatric nursing and complex care. You'll train in advanced simulation labs and gain clinical experience across all major specialties at St. Louis healthcare facilities. The program prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam and careers in hospitals, community health, and beyond. With CCNE accreditation and a low student-to-faculty ratio, SLU emphasizes person-centered care rooted in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis. Study abroad options include completing the first two years at the Madrid campus.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Missouri State Board of Nursing accredited
• No entrance exam required
• Test optional
• 4-Year program
• 120 total credit hours
• 3.2 GPA minimum
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Direct-entry BSN program

Bolivar Technical College’s Professional Nursing (RN) program leads to an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, preparing you for the NCLEX-RN and a career as a registered nurse. The curriculum blends online and in-person learning, covering fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal/child health, mental health, and leadership. You’ll spend 585 hours in clinicals at hospitals, clinics, and specialty units—from ER to ICU to labor and delivery—gaining real-world experience under instructor guidance. NCLEX preparation is built into every semester, and a dedicated review session boosts your confidence before the exam. With small class sizes, a state-of-the-art simulation lab, and job placement assistance from local healthcare employers, you’ll graduate ready to enter the workforce. The program can be completed in four semesters (64 weeks), and prerequisites like anatomy and physiology can be taken alongside nursing courses. Graduates have achieved a 100% NCLEX pass rate and 89% job placement, with many securing positions before finishing the program.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 4-Semester program
• Complete in RN in Under 2 Years
• 72 total credit hours
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 89% job placement rate
• avg starting hourly wage of 2022 RN grads: $26
• 585 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required

This online RN to BSN completion program is designed for registered nurses ready to earn a bachelor's degree while continuing to work. The coursework is 100% online and self-directed, so you can complete assignments and virtual clinical work on your own schedule. The curriculum focuses on advanced nursing practice, critical thinking, patient education, and healthcare leadership. Through Shadow Health simulations, you'll interact with virtual patients in real time, honing your assessment and decision-making skills in a safe environment. Students benefit from small classes, a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, and instructors who respond to emails within 24 hours on school days. The program prepares you for career growth as a nurse educator, nurse manager, or healthcare coordinator, and it deepens your capacity to plan and deliver care at a larger scale. With streamlined coursework and one-year completion, it's a practical path to advancing your nursing credentials.

• No entrance exam required
• 1-Year program
• As quickly as one year
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• $50 application fee
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 100% online coursework

College of the Ozarks offers a pre-licensure BSN program grounded in Christian values and holistic patient care. The four-year curriculum covers maternity, pediatrics, adult health, geriatrics, mental health, and community health through a six-semester plan. Students gain hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings across the Ozark Mountains, culminating in a one-on-one preceptorship with a registered nurse. The program emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and character development, preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN success and careers in hospitals, clinics, and specialized fields like emergency, pediatrics, or intensive care. Accredited by CCNE, the program also supports graduate study pathways. With a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 and prerequisite courses, students develop into compassionate, skilled nurses ready for the growing demand in healthcare.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 4-Year program
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Six-semester nursing course plan
• One-on-one preceptorship with RN
• Clinical settings in Ozark Mountains
• Christ-centered nursing education
• Pre-licensure BSN program

Missouri State University's West Plains campus offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) LPN-to-RN Bridge program designed for licensed practical nurses seeking to advance their careers. This 65-credit hour program can be completed in one academic year and is available in both online and hybrid formats. The curriculum covers nursing care across the lifespan, mental health, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and current trends. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical practicums at approved facilities in Missouri and Arkansas. With self-scheduled clinical hours and a preceptor-based model, working LPNs can tailor their learning. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The program features small cohorts of 30 students and competitive admission.

• 1-Year program
• 65 total credit hours
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts spring/summer/fall
• Cohort-based structure
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Cohort of 30 seats per cycle
• Online and hybrid delivery options
• Self-scheduled clinicals with preceptor

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Missouri State University offers a rigorous curriculum that blends classroom instruction with hands-on training in advanced simulation labs, where students practice IV insertions and patient assessments. The program stands out with its interprofessional education, collaborating with anesthesia, therapy, and social care students. Graduates achieve a 100% job placement rate and a 96% NCLEX pass rate. Options include a traditional four-year track, an accelerated 15-month path for degree holders, and an RN-to-BSN completion in one year. Missouri State is a founding partner of the Alliance for Healthcare Education, ensuring strong community connections.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 4-Year program
• Complete in four-year timeline
• 96% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Interprofessional education with other healthcare fields
• Accelerated BSN in 15 months

The University of Central Missouri's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare through a blend of theoretical coursework and hands-on clinical experience. The curriculum covers essential topics like health promotion, maternal-child nursing, adult and older adult care, and population health. Students gain real-world skills in state-of-the-art simulation labs and through clinical rotations at nearby hospitals and clinics, including North Kansas City Hospital and St. Luke's. With a 97% NCLEX-RN pass rate, graduates are well-equipped for licensure. The program offers multiple start dates each year, a direct admission pathway for high-achieving freshmen, and exclusive scholarships for nursing students. Faculty bring diverse expertise from specialties such as ER, trauma, and neonatal care. Located in Warrensburg and Lee's Summit, this in-person program emphasizes community engagement and prepares students for nursing roles in pediatrics, critical care, and beyond.

• Entrance exam required
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 97% licensure pass rate
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• $30 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available