What does an ADN-prepared Missouri RN actually have to do to finish a BSN without leaving the schedule? The RN to BSN Requirements usually mean about 30 credits of upper-division nursing coursework over 12 to 24 months.
Every program ranked here, drawn from the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri, is delivered online or in a hybrid format, which matters when you are working three twelves and cannot commit to a fixed daytime seminar. The BSN is the credential that gates charge nurse roles, case management, and most positions at Magnet-designated hospitals.
The tension is rarely academic. It comes down to cost per credit, how many associate degree credits a school accepts, and whether practicum hours can be arranged near home.
Why More Missouri Nurses Are Adding a Bachelor's Degree
An ADN gets you licensed and hired in Missouri. A BSN increasingly determines where you get hired, and how far you move once you are there.
The staffing picture behind the push
The Missouri Hospital Association's 2026 workforce report, built on data from 126 hospitals as of the end of 2025, put the statewide RN vacancy rate at 10.9%, up slightly from 10.1% the year before.1 Turnover ran near 18.8% statewide, with Central Missouri reaching 28.8% and West Central hitting 22.1%.2 Vacancy rates vary widely by region, and the statewide figure still reflects a substantial improvement since 2021.3 The short version, as the Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet makes clear, is that hospitals are competing hard for experienced nurses, and bachelor's-prepared candidates tend to sit at the front of that line.
What employers actually ask for
The National Academy of Medicine's call for 80% of the nursing workforce to hold a BSN set the tone more than a decade ago, but it is not a Missouri mandate. What matters more day to day is employer preference. National survey data from 2023 found roughly one in four hospitals require a BSN for new hires and about 70% strongly prefer one.4 Magnet-designated facilities and leadership tracks raise that bar further.
You are not starting over
RN to BSN programs (sometimes listed as ADN to BSN) build on your active license. Clinical fundamentals you already proved are not repeated. Coursework focuses on leadership, community health, research, and policy, which is why most Missouri RNs finish in 12 to 24 months.
Top Online RN to BSN Programs in Missouri for 2027
Every program below can be completed largely or entirely online, and this list blends online-delivery strength with overall school quality. Two notes before you compare: the net price shown for each school is an institution-wide average after aid rather than a tuition quote, and graduation rates describe the whole university, not the nursing program.
How we ranked these
- Earnings ten years after entry
- University graduation rates
- Online delivery and format
- Program accreditation status
- Net price after aid
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Missouri-St Louis
#1Saint Louis, MO · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Working RNs seeking a metro clinical network
The University of Missouri-St. Louis anchors its nursing offerings in St. Louis, where the College of Nursing draws on more than 100 regional clinical partners and a simulation center built to mimic hospital settings. The online RN to BSN track is CCNE accredited and part-time by design, letting working nurses finish in about five consecutive semesters without leaving their jobs. Students should expect an in-person practicum in the final semester, so the degree is online-first rather than fully remote from start to finish. The university's overall graduation rate is 57%.
- 100% online, part-time format across five consecutive semesters
- Completable in as little as two years while working
- CCNE accredited baccalaureate nursing program
- Final-semester practicum includes in-person clinical hours
- Clinical placements through more than 100 regional partners
- Admission needs an unencumbered RN license and 2.5 GPA
- Ranked among top online bachelor's programs nationally
- Simulation center with lifelike hospital equipment
Southwest Baptist University
#2Bolivar, MO · ~$22,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Faith-driven nurses wanting small cohorts
Southwest Baptist University is a private, Christ-centered institution in Bolivar, and its nursing completion track leans into that identity with small classes and faith integration woven through coursework. The online RN to BSN requires a 2.5 GPA and no entrance exam, and practice hours can be arranged near home, which suits nurses who cannot relocate for clinicals. A Mercy Health System partnership and a reported 84% job placement rate give graduates a regional foothold. The university's overall graduation rate is 55%.
- Fully online completion track with no campus visits
- Practice experiences can be completed in your local area
- Minimum 2.5 GPA; no ACT or SAT required
- Partnership with Mercy Health System
- 84% job placement rate reported for BSN graduates
- Christ-centered curriculum with small class sizes
- Malpractice insurance provided
- Option to accelerate coursework while finishing an ASN
Southeast Missouri State University
#3Cape Girardeau, MO · $16,000/yr (est. net price)
Best for: Cost-focused learners near Cape Girardeau
Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, runs a fully online RN to BSN completion program that is CCNE accredited and built on the associate degree or diploma nurses already hold. Coursework centers on leadership, evidence-based practice, and population health, and the program acts as a stepping stone toward graduate study. As a regional public university, it keeps costs comparatively low for in-state nurses. The university's overall graduation rate is 58%.
- CCNE accredited RN to BSN completion program
- Fully online delivery with no specified residency requirement
- Coursework in leadership and evidence-based practice
- Population health focus for expanded practice roles
- Builds on existing ADN or diploma nursing knowledge
- Prepares graduates for graduate study in nursing
Webster University
#4Saint Louis, MO · ~$27,000/yr (est.)
Webster University is a private institution based in St. Louis with a long history of serving working adults, and its nursing department describes this program as built for exactly that student. The online RN to BSN uses eight-week terms, allows completion in roughly 1 to 1.5 years full time, and awards credit for prior nursing education under a personalized learning plan. Faculty hold doctoral degrees across community health, medical-surgical, and psychiatric mental health nursing. The university's overall graduation rate is 64%.
- Fully online with eight-week course terms
- Full-time finish in about 1 to 1.5 years
- Part-time path runs roughly 2 to 2.5 years
- Personalized learning plan based on transfer credits
- Credit awarded for prior nursing education
- Faculty are doctorally prepared across nursing specialties
- Curriculum emphasizes social determinants of health
- Current unencumbered U.S. RN license required
St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton
#5Fenton, MO · $24,000/yr (est. net price)
St. Louis College of Health Careers in Fenton is a focused health professions college, and its RN to BSN completion program is built around a fixed credit count: 60 credits beyond the transfer credits you bring in. The 64-week fully online sequence covers leadership, informatics, community health, complex care, and end-of-life care, capped by a BSN capstone. Applicants need an active RN license and at least 60 transferable credits from an approved nursing program. The institution's overall graduation rate is 59%.
- Fully online 64-week RN to BSN completion program
- 60 credits required beyond transfer credits
- Must transfer at least 60 credits from an approved nursing program
- Active RN license required for admission
- Includes a BSN capstone course
- Coursework covers nursing leadership and informatics
- Community health, complex care, and end-of-life content
- 900 total program hours
University of Central Missouri
#6Warrensburg, MO · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
The University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg has made online completion a priority, and its RN to BSN program runs fully online with eight-week sessions and no required bedside clinical hours. Nurses can finish in as little as a year, out-of-state students pay no added tuition, and community health and leadership projects replace traditional clinical rotations. Employer tuition reimbursement is supported, which helps nurses whose hospitals offer education benefits. The university's overall graduation rate is 54%.
- CCNE accredited, 100% online RN to BSN
- Completable in as little as one year
- No out-of-state tuition added for online students
- Eight-week sessions with no bedside clinical hours
- Community health and leadership projects built in
- Employer tuition reimbursement supported
- Dedicated academic coordinator for each student
- No ACT or SAT requirement specified
Hannibal-LaGrange University
#7Hannibal, MO · ~$23,000/yr (est.)
Hannibal-LaGrange University is a small Christian institution in Hannibal, and its online RN to BSN is shaped around speed and flexibility: eight-week terms, multiple start dates each year, and a path to completion in about 12 months. An active RN license earns college credit toward the degree, shortening the total. Nursing practice is framed through a Christian worldview, and admission does not require standardized test scores. The university's overall graduation rate is 50%.
- CCNE accredited RN to BSN program
- 100% online with eight-week course terms
- Complete in as little as 12 months
- Credit awarded for an active RN license
- Multiple start dates each year
- Flexible full-time and part-time pacing
- Christian worldview integrated into nursing practice
Per-Credit Tuition, Credits Left After Your ADN, and Format by School
Each row below uses the same five data points so you can compare Missouri RN to BSN programs side by side. N/A marks anything a school does not clearly publish. Most bachelor's degrees total 120 credits, but ADN coursework and block credit for your RN license usually cover most of that. The published nursing totals here range from 26 credits at Mizzou to 60 at Southwest Baptist, so confirm with each school exactly how many credits you would still owe. Among published per-credit rates, Lincoln University is the lowest at $269 per credit, followed by UMSL at $529 and Mizzou at $621.50. These figures come from school websites in September and early October 2026.
| School | Online Per-Credit Tuition | Nursing Credits After ADN Transfer | Delivery Format | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri (Mizzou), Sinclair School of Nursing | $621.50 per credit hour | 26 credit hours | 100% online, no campus visits required | CCNE |
| Missouri State University | About $3,900 per semester (no extra fees for out-of-state students) | N/A | All online, eight-week courses | CCNE |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) | N/A | N/A (37 BSN credit hours awarded after completing the RN-BSN assessment) | Online | CCNE |
| Missouri Southern State University | N/A | N/A (120 total program hours, including general education, prerequisites, and upper-division nursing) | N/A | ACEN (continuing accreditation) |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) | $529 per credit hour | N/A | N/A | Fully accredited (accrediting body not specified) |
| Lincoln University | $269 per credit | 59 total credit hours | N/A | N/A |
| Southwest Baptist University | N/A | 60 credit hours beyond transfer credits | Online completion track | ACEN |
Missouri by City
Explore other Missouri related topics
What a Missouri RN to BSN Really Costs Once Transfer Credits Count
Net Price Is a Starting Point, Not Your Bill
Among the ranked Missouri schools, the University of Central Missouri posts the lowest average net price at about $14,462 a year. Webster University sits at the top at roughly $27,047. Those figures help with a quick comparison, but they describe what a typical undergraduate pays per year after grants and scholarships. They are campus-wide averages shaped largely by traditional students, so they say little about what a working RN finishing online will actually owe.
Do the Per-Credit Math
A more realistic estimate starts with two numbers: the per-credit rate and the credits you still need after your ADN to BSN transfer. Mizzou's 2026-2027 Missouri Online estimate for a part-time transfer student is a good model. At $621.50 per credit across 26 credit hours, tuition comes to about $16,159. Summer courses drop to $385.90 per credit, though nonresidents may add a $134.20 per-credit fee. Missouri State takes a different approach, quoting roughly $3,900 per semester for its fully online completion program with no out-of-state surcharge, so your total depends on how many semesters you need.
Budget for Fees Beyond Tuition
Tuition is rarely the full picture. Plan for smaller costs such as:
- Application fees: Mizzou charges $55 for domestic applicants.
- Background checks and drug screens: UMSL lists $130 for a combined background check, Missouri Family Care Safety Registry check, and urine drug screen for BSN clinical students. SEMO requires a CastleBranch background check for its online RN to BSN.
- Platforms and materials: SEMO's nursing program lists a one-time platform cost of about $171.50 plus $36 a year, and testing materials around $200 per semester. Confirm whether these apply to the online track.
- Course fees and books: Mizzou notes course fees vary by department, and textbooks are extra.
Ask each school for an itemized estimate before you commit.
The takeaway: compare total cost after transfer credits, not the sticker per-credit price. For a wider view, see the national guide to affordable rn to bsn online programs.
What Does the Path From ADN to BSN Look Like in Missouri?
Most online RN to BSN programs in Missouri follow the same basic order, from admission through a final practicum. Use this as a general roadmap, since the exact sequencing varies slightly by school, and confirm the details with each program's advisor.
What Missouri Programs Ask for Before You Enroll
Admission basics are similar across Missouri's online RN to BSN programs, but details vary and not every school publishes full criteria. Treat this as a starting checklist and confirm with each admissions office.
- RN license statusMizzou requires an unencumbered U.S. RN license, or NCLEX eligibility in your first semester. Missouri State asks for a current license with no restrictions. Missouri Southern requires an active license.
- Nursing diploma or associate degreeMizzou admits RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. Missouri State also allows dual enrollment while you finish your ASN or ADN.
- Minimum GPAMizzou sets a 2.5 cumulative minimum and expects at least a 2.0 in Mizzou coursework. Missouri State and Missouri Southern don't post a numerical cutoff. Missouri Southern uses a holistic committee review.
- Prerequisites and health recordsStatistics, chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology are common general-education requirements, but lists vary by school. Check each catalog. Missouri Southern also requires a physical exam, immunizations, and fitness documentation.
- Transfer creditMizzou's BSN totals 120 credits, including transfer work, and evaluates credit case by case. No fixed licensure block credit is published, so request a transcript review early.
- Start terms and deadlinesMizzou starts fall, spring, and summer, with deadlines of August 1, January 1, and March 1. Missouri Southern admits on a rolling basis for all three terms. Other schools haven't posted 2026-27 RN to BSN deadlines.