2026 Best Nursing Schools in Missouri
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Missouri? Our ranking highlights 140 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 116 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Webster University, our #1 Nursing school in Missouri. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Webster University report
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Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #2 on this year's Nursing ranking in Missouri. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,499. Read more about Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Request InformationThe strong Nursing programs at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned it the #3 place in Missouri. Located in Fayette, MO, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
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You'll be in good company at Saint Louis University Main Campus, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Saint Louis University Main Campus
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Out of the 116 schools in Missouri in this year's ranking, Rockhurst University landed the #5 spot. Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit school based in Kansas City, MO. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,966. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,111. Read the full report on Rockhurst University
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Truman State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Kirksville, MO. Truman State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Truman State University
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University Of Missouri Columbia did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. The median Nursing program debt is $21,818. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
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University Of Central Missouri landed the #8 spot in Missouri this year. University Of Central Missouri is a public school based in Warrensburg, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,304. Read more about University Of Central Missouri
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University Of Missouri Kansas City did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,741. More on University Of Missouri Kansas City
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Hannibal Lagrange College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hannibal, MO. Hannibal Lagrange College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $26,880. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,705. Read the full report on Hannibal Lagrange College
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William Jewell College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Liberty, MO, William Jewell College is a private not-for-profit institution. William Jewell College posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,610. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,950. See the full William Jewell College profile
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Southeast Missouri State University landed the #12 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. The median Nursing program debt is $23,289. Read the full report on Southeast Missouri State University
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Linn State Technical College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Linn State Technical College is a public school based in Linn, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $11,042. See the full Linn State Technical College profile
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Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #14 position. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
Request InformationCentral Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences placed #15 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayette, MO. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates 51% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,620. Students borrow a median of $24,633 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
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Columbia College Missouri ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, MO. About 43% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,213 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Columbia College Missouri report
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Saint Louis Community College placed #17 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Based in Bridgeton, MO, Saint Louis Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Saint Louis Community College profile
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University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Read more about University Of Missouri St Louis
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Moberly Area Community College landed the #19 spot in Missouri this year. Located in Moberly, MO, Moberly Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Moberly Area Community College Nursing students take on a median of $12,507 in debt. Get the full Moberly Area Community College report
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North Central Missouri College landed the #20 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Trenton, MO, North Central Missouri College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,685. Read more about North Central Missouri College
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Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Kansas City, MO, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. The median Nursing program debt is $12,281. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
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Avila University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Kansas City, MO, Avila University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Avila University profile
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St Charles Community College landed the #23 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Cottleville, MO, St Charles Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,606. Read the full report on St Charles Community College
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State Fair Community College placed #24 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Based in Sedalia, MO, State Fair Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full State Fair Community College profile
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Jefferson College placed #25 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Jefferson College is a public school based in Hillsboro, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $13,664. Get the full Jefferson College report
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These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Southwest Baptist University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Southwest Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bolivar, MO. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,436. See the full Southwest Baptist University profile
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Crowder College placed #27 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Based in Neosho, MO, Crowder College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Crowder College Nursing students take on a median of $9,887 in debt. Get the full Crowder College report
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Evangel University placed #28 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Based in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Evangel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,548. Evangel University Nursing students take on a median of $24,876 in debt. Get the full Evangel University report
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Ozarks Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Springfield, MO, Ozarks Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Ozarks Technical Community College Nursing students take on a median of $15,866 in debt. Get the full Ozarks Technical Community College report
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Missouri Western State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,362. Read the full report on Missouri Western State University
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Missouri Southern State University landed the #31 spot in Missouri this year. Located in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Read the full report on Missouri Southern State University
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East Central College landed the #32 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Union, MO, East Central College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. The median Nursing program debt is $12,062. Get the full East Central College report
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Lincoln University Missouri landed the #33 spot in Missouri this year. Set in Jefferson City, MO, Lincoln University Missouri is a public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Lincoln University Missouri Nursing students take on a median of $32,831 in debt. Read the full report on Lincoln University Missouri
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Mineral Area College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Park Hills, MO. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Mineral Area College
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Missouri State University West Plains landed the #35 spot in Missouri this year. This public school is set in West Plains, MO. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Missouri State University West Plains
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Park University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Parkville, MO, Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Park University
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Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Poplar Bluff, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Read the full report on Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Request InformationCulver Stockton College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Culver Stockton College profile
Request InformationHouse Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore did well this year, earning the #39 position. See the full House Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore profile
Request InformationOzark Christian College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Ozark Christian College
Request InformationEden Theological Seminary did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Eden Theological Seminary
Request InformationMerrell University Of Beauty Arts And Science came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Merrell University Of Beauty Arts And Science
Request InformationPike Lincoln Technical Center ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full Pike Lincoln Technical Center report
Request InformationApplied Technology Services placed #44 among Nursing schools in Missouri. Read more about Applied Technology Services
Request InformationMissouri Baptist University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Missouri Baptist University profile
Request InformationArizona College Of Nursing St Louis placed #46 among Nursing schools in Missouri. See the full Arizona College Of Nursing St Louis profile
Request InformationAcademy Of Hair Design Springfield came in at #47 in this year's ranking. More on Academy Of Hair Design Springfield
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Cottey College
Cottey College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Cottey College
Request InformationBryan University Springfield ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Bryan University Springfield profile
Request InformationRenaissance Beauty Academy ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Renaissance Beauty Academy profile
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 116 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 140 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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