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Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri

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2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri

18 Schools Ranked
$8,182 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$23,309 Avg Student Debt

There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 18 schools in Missouri to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$7,095 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,443 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named State Technical College of Missouri the best school in Missouri for nursing students working on their associate degree.

Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $7,095 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend STC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,780. On average, associate degree students take out $13,443 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at STC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 21% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full State Technical College of Missouri Report

#2

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
$29,271 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 18 schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College landed the # 2 spot on the list.

Associate Degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of $29,271 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Columbia College Missouri. In fact, around 78% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#3

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri
$5,295 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,964 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Saint Louis Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Missouri.

Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $5,295 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Saint Louis Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,155. Associate Degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College accumulate an average of $13,964 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saint Louis Community College. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Saint Louis Community College Report

#4

Hannibal - LaGrange University

Hannibal, Missouri
$25,215 Average Tuition & Fees
$30,262 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hannibal - LaGrange University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list.

The average tuition and fees at HLGU is $25,215. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from HLGU accumulate an average of $30,262 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since HLGU does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 27% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Hannibal - LaGrange University Report

$16,587 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,587 in student loans.

Online courses are available at MCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Report

#6

North Central Missouri College

Trenton, Missouri
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,303 Avg Student Debt

North Central Missouri College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.

Students from Missouri who attend NCMC full time pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,020. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,303 in student loans.

Online courses are available at NCMC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on North Central Missouri College

#7

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
$26,060 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,722 Avg Student Debt

Southwest Baptist University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $26,060 to cover tuition and fees at Southwest Baptist University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $25,722 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Southwest Baptist University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 38% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Southwest Baptist University

#8

Crowder College

Neosho, Missouri
$5,088 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,664 Avg Student Debt

Crowder College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list.

If you want to attend Crowder College, expect to pay an average of $5,088 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $12,664 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Crowder College. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Crowder College

#9

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri
$5,190 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,948 Avg Student Debt

St Charles Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.

Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $5,190 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,900. Associate Degree recipients from SCC accumulate an average of $15,948 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that SCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.

Full St Charles Community College Report

#10

Moberly Area Community College

Moberly, Missouri
$6,150 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,707 Avg Student Debt

Moberly Area Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking.

Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $6,150 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MACC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,860. Associate Degree recipients from MACC accumulate an average of $15,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at MACC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Moberly Area Community College

#11

Jefferson College

Hillsboro, Missouri
$6,030 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,466 Avg Student Debt

Jefferson College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at JeffCo is $6,030. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,740. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,466 in student loans.

JeffCo does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Jefferson College Report

#12

East Central College

Union, Missouri
$4,392 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,037 Avg Student Debt

East Central College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.

Students from Missouri who attend East Central College full time pay an average of $4,392 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,168. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,037 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at East Central College. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full East Central College Report

#13

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, Missouri
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,081 Avg Student Debt

Mineral Area College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MAC is $5,200. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,760. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,081 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MAC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Mineral Area College Report

#14

State Fair Community College

Sedalia, Missouri
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,832 Avg Student Debt

State Fair Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking.

In-state students pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees if they attend State Fair Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,168. On average, associate degree students take out $17,832 in loans while pursuing their degree.

State Fair Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#15

Missouri State University - West Plains

West Plains, Missouri
$4,800 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,491 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Missouri State University - West Plains did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.

Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $4,800 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Missouri State West Plains. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,880. On average, associate degree students take out $16,491 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Missouri State West Plains does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#16

Ozarks Technical Community College

Springfield, Missouri
$4,924 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,198 Avg Student Debt

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.

In-state students pay an average of $4,924 in tuition and fees if they attend OTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,028. Associate Degree recipients from OTC accumulate an average of $19,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

OTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Ozarks Technical Community College Report

#17

Three Rivers College

Poplar Bluff, Missouri
$6,510 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,201 Avg Student Debt

Three Rivers College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking.

Three Rivers College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,510. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Three Rivers College accumulate an average of $17,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Three Rivers College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Three Rivers College Report

#18

Lincoln University

Jefferson City, Missouri
$8,370 Average Tuition & Fees
$30,813 Avg Student Debt

Lincoln University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list.

In-state students pay an average of $8,370 in tuition and fees if they attend LU Missouri full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,360. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,813 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LU Missouri. During the 2019-2020 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Lincoln University Report

Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 18 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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