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