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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

College of the Ozarks delivers the most affordable nursing education in Missouri at just $7,669 net cost, yet maintains a selective 21.13% acceptance rate that rivals top-tier institutions. This stark contrast highlights Missouri's nursing education market, where public universities like Missouri Southern State University charge $11,653 net cost while providing nearly universal access at 99.48% acceptance. The earnings range of $52,107 to $61,054 aligns well with Missouri's healthcare sector, where major employers like BJC HealthCare and Cerner create strong demand for nursing professionals across clinical, administrative, and research roles. Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies stands out with the highest graduate earnings at $61,054 despite a modest $14,774 net cost. The state's A+ Scholarship program further reduces community college costs for students planning nursing pathways, while public universities maintain relatively low in-state tuition rates averaging under $10,000. Missouri's agriculture and defense sectors also employ nurses in occupational health and military medical roles, expanding career opportunities beyond traditional hospital settings.
33
Programs
$7,669 – $34,947
Net Price Range
$58,769
Avg. Program Earnings
54.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

33 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
3 $12,030 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
4 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
5 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
6 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
7 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
8 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
9 $14,774 $6,960 100.0%
10 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
11 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
12 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
13 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
14 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
15 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
16 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
17 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
18 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
19 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
20 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
21 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
22 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
23 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
24 $23,165 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
25 $24,051 $24,326 45.7%
26 $25,189 $11,691 100.0% 25.8%
27 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
28 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
29 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
30 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
31 $27,075 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
32 $28,094 56.9% 98.5%
33 $34,947 $19,686 33.3% 71.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable for nursing students?

College of the Ozarks operates on a work-study model where students work on campus to offset educational costs. At $7,669 net cost, it costs $4,000 less than the next most affordable option. However, the 21.13% acceptance rate means admission remains highly competitive despite the low cost.

How do public nursing programs in Missouri compare to private options?

Public nursing programs in Missouri average around $12,000-15,000 in net costs, while private options range from $7,669 to over $16,000. Missouri Southern State University offers public education at $11,653 with 99.48% acceptance, contrasting with selective private schools. Public programs generally provide broader access while maintaining quality outcomes.

Does graduating from an expensive nursing program guarantee higher earnings?

Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies produces the highest-earning graduates at $61,054 despite charging only $14,774 net cost. College of the Ozarks, the least expensive option, yields $52,107 average earnings. The $9,000 earnings difference doesn't correlate directly with program cost, suggesting other factors influence graduate success.

Where do Missouri nursing graduates find the best employment opportunities?

BJC HealthCare, one of Missouri's largest employers, creates significant demand for nursing graduates across clinical and administrative roles. Cerner, a major healthcare technology company, also employs nurses in research and informatics positions. The state's agriculture and defense sectors provide additional opportunities in occupational health and military nursing specialties.

Is it easier to get into Missouri nursing programs compared to other states?

Missouri shows wide variation in nursing program selectivity, from 21.13% acceptance at College of the Ozarks to 100% at Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies. Missouri Southern State University accepts 99.48% of applicants, providing accessible pathways. The average acceptance rate across programs exceeds 60%, offering multiple entry points for prospective nursing students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.