2026 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.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked Crowder College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Missouri. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,667. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $68,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $17,587 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $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 Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $61,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. 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. Registered Nursing graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $63,534 early in their careers. Set against $21,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. State Fair Community College is a mid-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. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. Set against $19,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,554. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $67,439. That is a strong return on a $22,554 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,490. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $65,883. Set against $17,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $57,521. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,736. Set against $25,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Missouri College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,667 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,504. That is a strong return on a $24,667 median debt.
Missouri State University West Plains placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Missouri State University West Plains generally make around $56,681. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Mineral Area College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. 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 Southern State University landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-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. Students borrow a median of $25,774 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,273. That is a strong return on a $25,774 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $100,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $107,719. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Western State University earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $70,938. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,125. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,554. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. 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. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Linn State Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $45,538. That is a strong return on a $11,042 median debt.
Lincoln University Missouri landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,388. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #23 for value in registered 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. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $84,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,581 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $84,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
