2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Missouri to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences 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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Webster University to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Missouri. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 689 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Webster is $29,840. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,128 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Webster does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Fayette, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 586 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,960 to cover tuition and fees at CMU CGES. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,750 in student loans.
CMU CGES 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Saint Louis University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. SLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,669 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $50,644 to cover tuition and fees at SLU. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from SLU accumulate an average of $23,965 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SLU. During the 2020-2021 year, about 26% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Missouri - Columbia is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,092 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Students from Missouri who attend Mizzou full time pay an average of $11,981 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $31,970. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Mizzou accumulate an average of $20,445 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Mizzou, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Missouri. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 1,593 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UCM is $9,410. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,450. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UCM accumulate an average of $21,961 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
UCM 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, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rockhurst University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 619 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Rockhurst, expect to pay an average of $41,701 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Rockhurst accumulate an average of $19,370 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rockhurst. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Hannibal - LaGrange University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. HLGU is located in Hannibal, Missouri and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 101 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend HLGU, expect to pay an average of $25,600 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,117 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at HLGU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Truman State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 965 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Truman State is $9,014. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,036. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Truman State accumulate an average of $20,442 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 Truman State does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 1,629 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $9,015 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southeast Missouri State University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,585. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,446 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Southeast Missouri State University, 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
William Jewell College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Liberty, Missouri is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 229 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $19,610 to cover tuition and fees at William Jewell. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,891 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at William Jewell. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #11, Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Maryville U is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 904 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Maryville U is $27,166. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,881 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Maryville U. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,449 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Missouri pay an average of $8,604 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Missouri State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,144. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Missouri State accumulate an average of $22,329 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Missouri State. During the 2020-2021 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. CMU CLAS is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Missouri. It awarded 272 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at CMU CLAS is $27,140. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,244 in loans while pursuing their degree.
University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,658 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UMKC is $11,989. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,638. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,057 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMKC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Columbia College Missouri is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 1,477 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of $27,200 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Columbia College Missouri. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #16, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 1,786 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,924 in student loans.
UMSL does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Avila University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Avila is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 281 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Avila accumulate an average of $23,014 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Avila. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Evangel University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 283 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Evangel does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $26,400. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,972 in student loans.
Evangel 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, 23% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Missouri Western State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Missouri Western State University is a small public school located in Saint Joseph, Missouri that handed out 689 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Missouri Western is $8,241. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,161. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,754 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Missouri Western. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Lincoln University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Jefferson City, Missouri, the small public school handed out 241 bachelor’s degree awards 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 bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,580 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LU Missouri. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Southwest Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 352 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Southwest Baptist University, expect to pay an average of $26,970 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,580 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 fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Missouri Southern is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 808 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,154 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Missouri Southern. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Park University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,586 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Park University is $9,702. 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 bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,252 in student loans.
Park University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
View Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 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.