2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Missouri
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
St Charles Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $18,712 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $68,488 early in their careers. Set against $18,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,667 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,192. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. Students borrow a median of $17,587 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $67,023 early in their careers. Set against $17,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #5 place for nursing. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,188. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,534. Set against $21,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $57,521. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Jefferson College placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,554. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,528. Nursing graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $62,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,490 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $65,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,094. Nursing graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $68,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $62,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Mineral Area College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,570. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,666 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $60,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University West Plains landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,936, with out-of-state students paying around $8,106. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $56,681. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Western State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $70,938 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,581 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $84,405. That is a strong return on a $25,581 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
East Central College landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Nursing graduates of East Central College earn a median of $62,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
North Central Missouri College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Students borrow a median of $24,667 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $66,504. That is a strong return on a $24,667 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $84,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $68,302. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $100,122. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Linn State Technical College earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Students borrow a median of $11,042 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $45,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,631. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $132,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
