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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Missouri

37 Schools Ranked
$41,074 Average Earnings
$25,228 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 Schools in Missouri ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 37 schools in Missouri to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Missouri

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
$50,709 Average Earnings
$24,185 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Webster University the best school in Missouri for nursing students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,185 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Webster graduates make an average of $50,709 annually.

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#2

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$59,828 Average Earnings
$25,584 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Maryville University of Saint Louis is a great place for nursing students.

On average, students take out $25,584 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $452. Once they receive their degree, Maryville U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,828 during the early year of their career.

Full Maryville University of Saint Louis Report

$39,784 Average Earnings
$25,044 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies is a great place for nursing students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,044 in student loans.After graduating from CMU CGES, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,784 during the early years of their career.

Full Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Report

#4

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
$51,202 Average Earnings
$25,051 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Saint Louis University is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from SLU accumulate an average of $25,051 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $511, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SLU graduates make an average of $51,202 annually.

Read full report on Saint Louis University

#5

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
$46,369 Average Earnings
$24,017 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rockhurst University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Missouri list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,017 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $294. Once they receive their degree, Rockhurst graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,369 during the early year of their career.

Full Rockhurst University Report

#6

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
$35,772 Average Earnings
$20,434 Avg Student Debt

Truman State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list.

Degree recipients from Truman State accumulate an average of $20,434 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Truman State graduates make an average of $35,772 annually.

Full Truman State University Report

#7

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
$46,901 Average Earnings
$21,797 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Missouri list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,797 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $398, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mizzou, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,901 during the early years of their career.

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#8

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
$41,823 Average Earnings
$25,019 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Missouri came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,019 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $168 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,823 during the early years of their career.

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#9

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
$57,524 Average Earnings
$27,022 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Missouri list.

Degree recipients from UMKC accumulate an average of $27,022 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $184.After graduating from UMKC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,524 during the early years of their career.

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#10

Hannibal - LaGrange University

Hannibal, Missouri
$35,172 Average Earnings
$25,087 Avg Student Debt

Hannibal - LaGrange University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list.

Degree recipients from HLGU accumulate an average of $25,087 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, HLGU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,172 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Hannibal - LaGrange University

#11

William Jewell College

Liberty, Missouri
$39,655 Average Earnings
$24,535 Avg Student Debt

William Jewell College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri ranking.

Degree recipients from William Jewell accumulate an average of $24,535 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $359.After graduating from William Jewell, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,655 during the early years of their career.

Full William Jewell College Report

#12

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
$35,626 Average Earnings
$24,914 Avg Student Debt

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,914 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $144 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Southeast Missouri State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,626 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Southeast Missouri State University

$39,731 Average Earnings
$13,627 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, State Technical College of Missouri did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from STC accumulate an average of $13,627 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, STC graduates make an average of $39,731 annually.

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#14

Missouri State University - Springfield

Springfield, Missouri
$40,472 Average Earnings
$25,043 Avg Student Debt

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

Degree recipients from Missouri State accumulate an average of $25,043 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Missouri State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,472 during the early years of their career.

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$38,485 Average Earnings
$25,044 Avg Student Debt

Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from CMU CLAS accumulate an average of $25,044 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CMU CLAS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,485 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

#16

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
$40,927 Average Earnings
$31,707 Avg Student Debt

Columbia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,707 in student loans.After graduating from Columbia College Missouri, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,927 during the early years of their career.

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#17

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri
$33,950 Average Earnings
$14,429 Avg Student Debt

Saint Louis Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Missouri list.

On average, students take out $14,429 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Saint Louis Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,950 during the early years of their career.

Full Saint Louis Community College Report

#18

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
$45,753 Average Earnings
$27,595 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list.

Degree recipients from UMSL accumulate an average of $27,595 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $120. Once they receive their degree, UMSL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,753 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Report

#19

Moberly Area Community College

Moberly, Missouri
$38,389 Average Earnings
$15,576 Avg Student Debt

Moberly Area Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,576 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MACC graduates make an average of $38,389 annually.

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#20

North Central Missouri College

Trenton, Missouri
$35,982 Average Earnings
$17,695 Avg Student Debt

North Central Missouri College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,695 in student loans.After graduating from NCMC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,982 during the early years of their career.

Full North Central Missouri College Report

$40,267 Average Earnings
$15,233 Avg Student Debt

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri ranking.

On average, students take out $15,233 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,267 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City

#22

Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri
$41,749 Average Earnings
$34,008 Avg Student Debt

Avila University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,008 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Avila graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,749 during the early year of their career.

Full Avila University Report

#23

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri
$34,388 Average Earnings
$17,289 Avg Student Debt

St Charles Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Missouri ranking.

On average, students take out $17,289 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,388 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on St Charles Community College

#24

State Fair Community College

Sedalia, Missouri
$41,167 Average Earnings
$17,830 Avg Student Debt

State Fair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list.

Degree recipients from State Fair Community College accumulate an average of $17,830 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from State Fair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,167 during the early years of their career.

Full State Fair Community College Report

#25

Jefferson College

Hillsboro, Missouri
$37,846 Average Earnings
$15,931 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Jefferson College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $15,931 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from JeffCo, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,846 during the early years of their career.

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Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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