Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Missouri
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Saint Louis University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 261 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $84,374 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for Saint Louis University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 335 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $92,946 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 149 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $132,297. Typical student debt for the program is $26,631.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Missouri State University Springfield
A rank of #4 makes Rockhurst University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Rockhurst University awarded about 154 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $87,778 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for Rockhurst University
Northwest Missouri State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 66 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $42,939 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. About 159 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $103,656 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,881.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Maryville University Of Saint Louis
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 159 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Missouri Kansas City
Truman State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Truman State University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $68,736 early in their careers. Truman State University graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Truman State University
University Of Central Missouri placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Missouri awarded about 97 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $84,405 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,581.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Central Missouri
Research College Of Nursing came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 199 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Research College Of Nursing in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Research College Of Nursing generally make around $92,404. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Research College Of Nursing
Saint Louis Community College came in at #11 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 233 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $68,262 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,667 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Saint Louis Community College
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 74 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $68,302 in the first couple years of their career. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Southeast Missouri State University
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. There were roughly 92 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn around $63,534 in the first couple years of their career. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City graduates carry a median of $21,188 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Crowder College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Neosho. There were roughly 101 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Crowder College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $62,875 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,528.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Crowder College
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 100% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 113 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri generally make around $83,188. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri
Webster University landed the #16 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Webster University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Webster University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Webster University earn a median of $92,391 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Webster University
Missouri Western State University landed the #17 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Missouri Western State University awarded about 82 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,938 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Missouri Western State University
St Charles Community College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 84 registered nursing degrees were awarded at St Charles Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $68,488. St Charles Community College graduates carry a median of $18,712 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for St Charles Community College
Linn State Technical College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 17 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Linn State Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $45,538. Typical student debt for the program is $11,042.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Linn State Technical College
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #20 spot for registered nursing this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 126 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $100,122 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Missouri St Louis
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #21 for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 11 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $84,487 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full registered nursing details for Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Poplar Bluff. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff awarded about 53 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $65,883 early in their careers. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff graduates carry a median of $17,490 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Stephens College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. Stephens College awarded about 17 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $55,458 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $33,326.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Stephens College
Moberly Area Community College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 93 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Moberly Area Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $67,023 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,587.
See the full registered nursing program report for Moberly Area Community College
Cox College placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Cox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Cox College graduates 100% of students within six years. There were roughly 252 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cox College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Cox College generally make around $75,506. Cox College graduates carry a median of $31,948 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Cox College
Rest of the Top 48 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 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.
