2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Kansas
Registered Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Kansas.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Our analysis ranked University Of Kansas the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 185 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $105,103 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Kansas
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Washburn University, which ranked #2. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 127 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Washburn University earn around $98,985 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Washburn University
A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fort Hays State University awarded about 154 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $82,486 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,726 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Fort Hays State University
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Midamerica Nazarene University, which ranked #4. Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. Midamerica Nazarene University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 127 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Midamerica Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Midamerica Nazarene University earn around $80,895 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,620.
See the full registered nursing program report for Midamerica Nazarene University
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Hutchinson. There were roughly 78 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Hutchinson Community College earn around $60,330 in the first couple years of their career. Hutchinson Community College graduates carry a median of $21,889 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Hutchinson Community College
Salina Area Technical College earned the #6 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public institution. Salina Area Technical College awarded about 22 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Salina Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Salina Area Technical College
Pittsburg State University earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $82,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Pittsburg State University
Johnson County Community College landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 59 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $64,303. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $15,914 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Johnson County Community College
Emporia State University placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $60,066 in their early career. Emporia State University graduates carry a median of $24,440 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Emporia State University
Wichita State University came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 151 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Wichita State University earn around $78,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,750.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Wichita State University
Baker University placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Baldwin City. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 45 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Baker University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Baker University earn a median of $70,720 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,577 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Baker University
Benedictine College came in at #12 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine College awarded about 34 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $66,204. Students borrow a median of $22,223 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Benedictine College
North Central Kansas Technical College came in at #13 for registered nursing this year. North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Beloit. About 46 registered nursing degrees were awarded at North Central Kansas Technical College in the most recent year.
Read more about the registered nursing program at North Central Kansas Technical College
Donnelly College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 33 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Donnelly College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Donnelly College generally make around $49,147. Donnelly College graduates carry a median of $27,626 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Donnelly College
Newman University came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wichita. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 48 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Newman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $137,199 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Newman University
Labette Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This small public university is located in the town of Parsons. Labette Community College awarded about 30 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $66,833. Typical student debt for the program is $16,150.
Get the full registered nursing details for Labette Community College
Neosho County Community College earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 49 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Neosho County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $61,906 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,877 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Neosho County Community College
Butler Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of El Dorado. About 234 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Butler Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Butler Community College earn around $63,244 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Butler Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Kansas City. There were roughly 57 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $63,181. Typical student debt for the program is $22,444.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Kansas City Kansas Community College
Ottawa University Kansas City ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Overland Park, Ottawa University Kansas City is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 15 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ottawa University Kansas City in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Ottawa University Kansas City earn a median of $76,207 early in their careers. Ottawa University Kansas City graduates carry a median of $34,747 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Ottawa University Kansas City
Rasmussen College Kansas came in at #21 for registered nursing this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Topeka. About 120 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Rasmussen College Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $77,596 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,866.
See the full registered nursing program report for Rasmussen College Kansas
University Of Saint Mary placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. University Of Saint Mary graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Saint Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $85,735 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Saint Mary
Hesston College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Hesston, Hesston College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Hesston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Hesston College earn around $68,338 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full registered nursing details for Hesston College
Garden City Community College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Garden City. Garden City Community College awarded about 17 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $61,593 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,100.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Garden City Community College
Highland Community College Highland came in at #25 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Highland. There were roughly 28 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Highland Community College Highland in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Highland Community College Highland earn around $22,909 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Highland Community College Highland
Rest of the Top 36 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 schools evaluated.
- 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.
