A two-year ADN and a four-year BSN lead to the same licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN, but they differ in cost, time to first paycheck, and how far an employer will promote you. For Kansas City commuters, geography complicates the choice. Students drive in from Independence, Lee's Summit, Liberty, Overland Park, Olathe and Kansas City, KS, and whether you live in Missouri or Kansas can change the per-credit tuition you pay.
NCLEX-RN results deserve the most weight. A degree converts to a salary only after you pass and hold an RN license, and hospitals on both sides of the state line hire licensed nurses regardless of where they trained.
Where Kansas City Nursing Graduates Work
Which Kansas City hospitals hire new nursing graduates, and which side of the state line are they on? The metro spans two states, so a commuter can job-hunt in both.
The Major Employers
On the Missouri side are Saint Luke's, University Health (formerly Truman Medical Centers), Children's Mercy, Research Medical Center (part of HCA Midwest Health) and North Kansas City Hospital. On the Kansas side are The University of Kansas Health System and AdventHealth.
Rotations That Lead to Offers
Clinical rotations work like extended interviews. Units get to know students, and students learn which cultures fit. The University of Kansas Health System coordinates many undergraduate placements through the MOKAN Clinical Education Partnership, though the full list of participating hospitals varies.
Several employers also run structured residencies for new graduates:
- KU Health: Its Nurse Residency Program is CCNE-accredited, and new graduates are enrolled in it.2
- Research Medical Center: A 12-month Vizient/AACN residency with monthly sessions.3
- North Kansas City Hospital: An ANCC Accredited with Distinction transition program.4 One 2026 listing advertised $34.50 an hour for graduate nurses, though that rate may not apply to every unit or shift.5
HCA Midwest Health also advertises tuition assistance, student-loan help and certification support, plus a partnership with Galen College of Nursing.6 Eligibility may vary by location, so confirm terms with the hospital.
What This Means for BSN Plans
Magnet recognition is the clearest signal. The University of Kansas Hospital earned Magnet with Distinction in 2026, its fifth consecutive Magnet recognition, and Children's Mercy has six consecutive Magnet designations.1 Hospitals with this status often favor BSN-prepared nurses. We did not confirm a hard BSN requirement at any of these employers, so check current postings before you decide.
Takeaways
- Target employers on both sides of the state line to widen your options.
- Treat each clinical rotation as a chance to be noticed.
- Ask about residency enrollment and tuition help before accepting an offer.
- If you want a Magnet hospital, plan on a BSN.
Kansas City Nursing Schools With the Strongest NCLEX-RN Results
Pass rates on the licensing exam carry most of the weight in this ranking, because a degree only pays off once you hold an RN license. The Kansas City programs below are ordered by their reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, with accreditation status and completion outcomes breaking ties. Each entry notes whether the pre-licensure pathway is an ADN or a BSN, what it costs, and how far you would commute.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- CCNE and ACEN accreditation
- In-state tuition and net price
- Campus location and commute
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
- Original research on individual programs
William Jewell College
#1Liberty, MO · ~$18,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Northland commuters wanting small, mentored classes
William Jewell College is a private liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri, roughly 20 minutes north of downtown Kansas City, and its traditional BSN is a four-year campus program with clinicals beginning in the sophomore year. The program reports a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across its most recent three-year reporting period and holds CCNE accreditation. Institution-wide, about 68% of students graduate, the second-highest rate among the four-year schools here. Tuition runs $20,610 for both in-state and out-of-state students, with an average net price near $17,562 after aid.
- CCNE accredited, with clinicals beginning in the sophomore year
- 650+ clinical, lab, and simulation hours before graduation
- 6:1 student-faculty ratio and direct admission for eligible first-years
- 2.8 GPA minimum plus an ACT entrance exam for admission
- Clinical placements at Kansas City hospitals and regional facilities
- First internationally endorsed simulation center in Missouri and Kansas
- Senior-year NCLEX live review and a dedicated NCLEX success coordinator
- More than 3,000 nursing graduates since 1970
University of Missouri-Kansas City
#2Kansas City, MO · $13,000 – $30,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Second-degree students seeking an accelerated BSN
The University of Missouri-Kansas City sits in the heart of the metro's academic health corridor, and its School of Nursing and Health Studies offers a traditional BSN, a five-semester accelerated track for second-degree students, and an online RN to BSN. Its three-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 99.4% across 196 candidates, and the school holds CCNE accreditation. Tuition is $12,587 for Missouri residents and $30,227 for out-of-state students, with an average net price around $13,310. Roughly 55% of students finish their degree institution-wide.
- CCNE accredited traditional BSN, completed in four to five years
- Clinical experiences begin in the fall of the first clinical term
- Direct Admit option for qualified high school students
- January supplemental application deadline for the fall clinical start
- Two concentration options within the BSN
- Five-semester track for students who already hold a bachelor's degree
- Finish in under two years with 1,050 clinical hours
- 300-hour capstone internship and rotations in seven specialties
- 2.8 GPA minimum, with a 3.5 prerequisite GPA recommended
- Daytime classes only on the Kansas City campus
- 30 hours of direct patient interaction required before admission
- Online RN to BSN with no campus visits required
- Synchronous and asynchronous course options
- 2.5 GPA minimum for admission
- In-state tuition available to students from eligible states
- BSN to PhD bridge option for students planning doctoral study
Park University
#3Parkville, MO · $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working LPNs seeking credit for experience
Park University's main campus is in Parkville, on the Northland side of the metro, and its pre-licensure BSN is a cohort-based campus program that also accepts prior learning credit from licensed practical nurses. The three-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 96.2% across 70 candidates, and the program is CCNE accredited with Missouri State Board of Nursing approval. Tuition is $17,500 regardless of residency, with an average net price around $21,032. About 38% of the university's students graduate institution-wide.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- 124 total credit hours with cohort-based progression
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- Prior learning credit accepted for licensed practical nurses
- ATI admissions test and NursingCAS application required
- Nursing GPA of 2.8 required to stay in the cohort
- Clinical experiences completed in Parkville, Missouri
Avila University
#4Kansas City, MO · ~$16,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Avila University is a private university in south Kansas City whose BSN is a campus program built around high-fidelity simulation and clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, schools, and hospices. The reported three-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 92.4% across 96 candidates, and the program is CCNE accredited and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Sticker tuition is $42,000 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, but the average net price after aid drops to about $16,053. The institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Fall and spring start dates on the Kansas City campus
- High-fidelity simulation in the Nursing Education and Resource Center
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, schools, and hospices
- Accelerated BSN option available for second-degree students
- Patterson Scholarship supports students committed to rural nursing
- Small class sizes with faculty who maintain clinical practice
Research College of Nursing
#5Kansas City, MO · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Research College of Nursing is a standalone nursing college in Kansas City with a direct partnership with HCA Midwest Health, the region's largest health network, so clinicals and hiring both run through the same system. Its 12-month Fast Track and Accelerated BSN pathways produce the largest NCLEX testing cohort in the metro, with a 91.6% first-time pass rate across 441 candidates, and the college is CCNE accredited. The HCA work loan forgiveness program can cover up to 75% of tuition for graduates who sign a two-year RN work agreement. Both pathways start multiple times a year on the Kansas City campus.
- 12-month BSN for students with prerequisites but no prior degree
- January and May starts, with a November 1 application deadline
- 3.25 GPA and a TEAS score of 70% required for admission
- Clinicals on Dedicated Education Units staffed by HCA Midwest Health nurses
- UbiSim virtual reality and Elevate Juno simulators
- HCA work loan forgiveness covers up to 75% of tuition
- 12-month accelerated BSN for students who already hold a degree
- $49,670 total program tuition before work loan forgiveness
- 3.0 GPA minimum and a TEAS entrance exam
- Spring and summer start dates
- Mentorship from faculty who are Research College alumni
- Direct entry for degree holders with prerequisites complete
Rockhurst University
#6Kansas City, MO · ~$26,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 88.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Rockhurst University is a Jesuit institution in Kansas City that houses its BSN inside the Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, which gives students clinical ties to Saint Luke's and other metro health systems. The three-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 88.2% across 449 candidates, and the program is CCNE accredited with one-to-one NCLEX coaching and a dedicated simulation center. Tuition is $44,966 for all students, with an average net price near $25,884. About 75% of the university's students graduate institution-wide, the highest rate among the four-year schools on this list, and Saint Luke's employees may qualify for a tuition discount.
- CCNE accredited campus program in Kansas City
- Housed in Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Capstone required before graduation
- One-to-one NCLEX success coaching and a dedicated simulation center
- Tuition discount for Saint Luke's employees
- Clinical partnerships with major Kansas City health systems
- 115 years of nursing education at the university
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
#7Kansas City, MO · $8,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 87% (3-yr weighted avg)
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City runs its Professional Nursing ADN at MCC-Penn Valley, with hands-on training in the Health Science Institute and both fall and spring starts. The reported three-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 87% across 264 candidates, and the program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. In-district tuition is $3,630, out-of-district students pay $9,600, and the average net price lands near $8,398, the lowest price on this list. The college's institution-wide graduation rate is about 34%.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- 72 to 76 credit hours over two years at MCC-Penn Valley
- Fall and spring start dates, no entrance exam required
- In-district tuition of about $121 per credit hour
- Training in the Health Science Institute simulation labs
- Meets the education requirements for licensure in Missouri and Kansas
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN
ADN vs. BSN in Kansas City: Which Path Fits You?
Metropolitan Community College's professional nursing program lists 72 to 76 credits, and the handbook specifies 19 prerequisite credits and 37 nursing credits among them. That total sets the benchmark for the ADN side of the comparison. Both degrees lead to the same licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN, so the real differences are time, cost, competition and how employers treat the credential.
Side by Side
- Time to complete: MCC's LPN-to-ADN bridge takes three semesters once admission requirements are met. Traditional ADN tracks generally run about two years after prerequisites. A BSN typically takes four years, while second-degree accelerated tracks are shorter (see the accelerated listings below).
- Cost: Community college tuition is usually well below private university tuition. The affordability table below compares tuition and net price, since aid can narrow that gap.
- Prerequisites: MCC requires Chemistry 105, Biology 109 or 110 plus Biology 210, and Psychology 243. Prerequisite grades must be C or higher, with a minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA. BSN schools such as Rockhurst, Research College of Nursing and William Jewell set their own lists, so check each one.
- Admission competitiveness: MCC ranks applicants using prerequisite grades and GPA points, and the prerequisite GPA is multiplied by three.1 It also requires the ATI TEAS with a minimum adjusted total of 58.7%. Strong science grades carry real weight in that ranking.
- Licensing exam: Both paths sit for the NCLEX-RN. See the NCLEX ranking above for each school's results.
- Hiring: Large hospital systems often prefer or encourage the BSN, and some expect ADN hires to finish one later. ADN graduates are still hired, so confirm current postings at the employers you want.
Application Timing
MCC's application window runs July 17 through September 18, 2026, and September 18 is the deadline for a Spring 2027 start.1 Its ranking-based selection means a strong file matters more than applying early. Other schools may use rolling review, fall and spring deadlines or waitlists, so check each program's admissions page before planning your prerequisites.
The ADN-First Strategy
Many Kansas City nurses earn an ADN, pass the NCLEX-RN, start working, and then complete an RN-to-BSN online while employed. Some employers offer tuition assistance. The trade-off is a longer total timeline, so it fits best if you need income soon or want to lower upfront cost. If a BSN is your clear goal and you can afford four years, going straight there avoids the extra step.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Most Affordable Nursing Programs Near Kansas City
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's Professional Nursing ADN is the lowest-cost route here. Starting Fall 2026, MCC charges $126 per credit for in-district Missouri residents and $246 for out-of-district Missouri residents, and Kansas residents of Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami and Wyandotte counties pay that same metro rate instead of the higher out-of-state charge. No program below is free, and net price is an average after grants and scholarships, not a personal quote, so ask each financial aid office how Pell Grants, Missouri's A+ Scholarship and Fast Track grant, and hospital tuition assistance could lower your bill.
| School | Program | Degree | Location | Program Length | In-State Tuition and Fees (Annual) | Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Annual) | Average Net Price After Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Professional Nursing | ADN | Kansas City, MO | 2 years (72-76 credits) | $3,630 | $9,600 | $8,398 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | BSN | Kansas City, MO | 4 to 5 years | $12,587 | $30,227 | $13,310 |
| Avila University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | BSN | Kansas City, MO | N/A | $42,000 | $42,000 | $16,053 |
| William Jewell College | Traditional B.S.N. | BSN | Liberty, MO | 4 years | $20,610 | $20,610 | $17,562 |
| Park University | Nursing (Pre-Licensure), B.S.N. | BSN | Parkville, MO | 124 credits | $17,500 | $17,500 | $21,032 |
LPN to RN Pathways at Area Community Colleges
More employers now want RNs, and bridge tracks let working LPNs move up without repeating material they already know. In the Kansas City area, two community colleges on opposite sides of the state line offer advanced placement that skips the first year of the RN curriculum.
Metropolitan Community College (Missouri)
MCC's LPN-to-ADN Advanced Placement option takes three semesters once admission requirements and five prerequisite courses are finished. Students receive six credits for the first nursing course, so they can apply directly for second-semester nursing classes. Admission is space-available only, so meeting the minimums does not guarantee a seat.
The requirements are specific:
- License: An active LPN license.
- GPA: A cumulative 2.5 or higher.
- Science courses: BIO103, BIO104 and BIO201, each with at least a C+.
- Exams: The HESI Admission Assessment, with 80% minimums in English and math, plus the HESI Fundamentals of Nursing exam.
- Skills and dosage: A skills assessment passed in two attempts or fewer, and a dosage calculation exam at 90% or higher in two attempts or fewer.
Johnson County Community College (Kansas)
JCCC's LPN-to-RN Bridge grants advanced standing and bypasses the first-year RN classes. After acceptance, students complete three semesters of nursing study, then become eligible for the NCLEX-RN.1 The full program totals 56 to 59 credits, including 21 to 24 prerequisite credits.1 It runs June through May across summer, fall and spring, with classes starting in late May. The Summer 2026 application deadline was December 1, 20252, so applicants should look for a similar early-December cutoff and plan prerequisites well ahead.
What to Confirm Before Applying
The published requirements at both colleges focus on licensure, grades and testing. Neither lists a minimum amount of LPN work experience. Neither spells out a weekly class format such as evenings, weekends or hybrid, which matters if you work full time. Ask each nursing office how clinical and class days are scheduled before you plan your shifts around them.
The directory below covers the LPN-to-RN options near Kansas City.
LPN to RN Programs Near Kansas City
Working LPNs in the Kansas City area have a few routes to the RN credential, and the programs below combine credit for practical nursing experience, cohort schedules, and clinical placements at metro hospitals. Each entry lists the credential earned and whether instruction happens on campus or in a hybrid format.
- LPN-BSN Bridge
- LPN to ADN Bridge Program
- Nursing (Pre-Licensure), B.S.N. (Licensed Practical Nurse)
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Kansas City
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN lets you move into nursing without starting over. The programs below compress the nursing curriculum into roughly one year to five semesters of full-time study and pair it with clinical hours at Kansas City area hospitals. Formats range from fully on-campus cohorts to hybrid options that combine online coursework with short residencies or weekend clinicals, so read each entry for the schedule that fits your life.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
- Accelerated BSN
- Accelerated BSN Nursing Program
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Kansas City, MO
For registered nurses who already hold a license, these Kansas City area programs build on the diploma or associate degree you have and lead to a bachelor's or a master's in nursing. Most are delivered online or in flexible part-time formats so you can keep working full time while you study.
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
- RN-BSN
- Nursing, Post-Licensure (RN to BSN), B.S.N.
- RN-BSN
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Kansas City, MO
If you already hold a BSN and an active RN license, the Kansas City area offers master's and doctoral pathways into advanced practice. The programs below blend online coursework with campus visits and precepted clinical hours in the metro, and several let you add a second certification without starting over.
- MSN Nurse Educator
- MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP))
- MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP))
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- MSN to DNP (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Online MSN Dual Track FNP-AGACNP (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP))
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
- MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN/MBA Dual Degree
- MSN: Nursing Leadership
Earning Your Missouri RN License After Graduation
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Kansas City, MO
7 schools within 20 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Kansas City, MO
Avila University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Starts fall/spring
- 98% job placement rate
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Small class sizes
- High-fidelity simulation experiences
On-Campus · Website
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Associate - Professional Nursing
- ACEN, Missouri State Board of Nursing accredited
- No entrance exam required
- $121 per credit
- 2-Year program
- 74 total credit hours
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 90% licensure pass rate
On-Campus · Website
Research College of Nursing
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- $49,670 total program tuition
- 12-Month program
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts spring/summer
- 100% job placement rate
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Fast Track Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 12-Month program
- Apply by 2026-11-01
- 2 start dates per year
- 3.3 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
On-Campus · Website
Rockhurst University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Employer reimbursement supported
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- 115 years of nursing education experience
- Low faculty-to-student ratio
On-Campus · Website
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 5-Semester program
- In less than two years
- Starts fall
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- 1050 clinical hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 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
On-Campus · Website
Liberty, MO
William Jewell College
Bachelor's - Traditional B.S.N.
- CCNE accredited
- 3 concentration options
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: ACT
- 4-Year program
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 100% job placement rate
- 2.8 GPA minimum
On-Campus · Website
Parkville, MO
Park University
Bachelor's - Nursing (Pre-Licensure), B.S.N.
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- 124 total credit hours
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- Cohort-based structure
- Prerequisite courses required
- Clinical experiences in Parkville, MO
On-Campus · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).