2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri
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.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named State Technical College of Missouri the best school in Missouri for nursing students working on their associate degree. State Technical College of Missouri is a small public school located in Linn, Missouri that handed out 615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,440 in tuition and fees if they attend STC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $13,320. On average, associate degree students take out $10,706 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at STC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 28% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Columbia College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Missouri. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 600 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of $25,680 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 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 18 schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Louis Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bridgeton, Missouri. It awarded 1,981 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Saint Louis Community College is $5,130. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,990. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,816 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Saint Louis Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. HLGU is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Hannibal, Missouri. It awarded 17 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
HLGU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $25,600. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,756 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that HLGU does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 28% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,899 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,682 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. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
North Central Missouri 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 #6 on the list. Located in Trenton, Missouri, the small public school handed out 312 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NCMC is $6,240. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,350. Associate Degree recipients from NCMC accumulate an average of $13,197 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 NCMC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 156 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Southwest Baptist University is $26,970. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,582 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Southwest Baptist University does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
Crowder 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 #8 on the list. Neosho, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 743 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Crowder College is $5,616. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $11,427 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Crowder 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, St Charles Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Cottleville, Missouri, the medium-sized public school handed out 851 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend SCC full time pay an average of $5,430 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,080. On average, associate degree students take out $9,855 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SCC. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #10, Moberly Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Moberly, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 788 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $6,330 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MACC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,550. On average, associate degree students take out $14,065 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MACC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Jefferson College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Hillsboro, Missouri, the small public school handed out 563 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at JeffCo is $6,210. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,980. On average, associate degree students take out $11,735 in loans while pursuing their degree.
JeffCo does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 56% took at least some of their classes online.
East Central College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Union, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 427 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $4,584 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend East Central College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,360. Associate Degree recipients from East Central College accumulate an average of $16,426 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 East Central College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mineral Area College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. MAC is a small public school situated in Park Hills, Missouri. It awarded 471 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,650 in tuition and fees if they attend MAC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,210. Associate Degree recipients from MAC accumulate an average of $10,715 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MAC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
State Fair Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Sedalia, Missouri, the small public school awarded 608 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at State Fair Community College is $5,112. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,648. On average, associate degree students take out $16,257 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that State Fair Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.
Missouri State University - West Plains ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in West Plains, Missouri, the small public school awarded 258 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend Missouri State West Plains full time pay an average of $4,950 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,180. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,457 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Missouri State West Plains, 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, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. This fairly large public school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 1,490 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OTC is $5,216. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,368. On average, associate degree students take out $16,228 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that OTC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 53% took at least some of their classes online.
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 is a public institution located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 424 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Three Rivers College, expect to pay an average of $6,600 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Three Rivers College accumulate an average of $13,103 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Three Rivers College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lincoln University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Jefferson City, Missouri, the small public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Missouri who attend LU Missouri full time pay an average of $8,386 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,616. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,427 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LU Missouri does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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