How to Become a Registered Nurse in Missouri

Located in the heart of the country, Missouri has plenty of medical professional employment opportunities for graduating students.

However, steps must be taken to reach that point, starting with enrolling and completing a state-accredited nursing program.

Missouri’s 2020 Workforce Report found that over 100,000 registered nurses (RNs) currently work in the state.

This number is projected to grow by around 16.2% into 2030.

Available degrees include:

• ADN – associate degree in nursing
• BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
• Doctoral programs

If this sounds like a field you’re interested in, please keep reading to learn more about the schools that offer different degrees!

5 Registered Nurse Schools in Missouri

Missouri has a variety of top-notch schools that will help propel the careers of graduates, including:

Avila University

With only 1,200 undergraduate students, this Catholic school boasts a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

The nursing program prepares graduates for a prosperous nursing career and has a national examination licensure exam passing rate of over 97%.

Given the small student body, only 54 nursing students are admitted each year, so competition is high.

The annual tuition is $21,100 but includes all campus fees and books.

Hannibal-LaGrange University

Located in Hannibal, Missouri, Hannibal-LaGrange University is a small school of around 1,000 students.

However, with such a small student population, nursing candidates receive a focused education with a personal touch.

In 2021, 100% of nursing graduates found a job, and 90% had an offer at graduation.

The degree programs include a 3+1 associate-BSN so that you can become an RN in four years.

The annual tuition cost is expensive at $22,000 and there is no in-state tuition since it’s a private university.

Southeast Missouri State University

With low-annual in-state tuition of around $8,500 and a student body of 12,000, SMSU falls between a small and large college.

In the Old Mississippi River banks, SMSU has the most storied nursing program in the state.

Launched in 1058, the Department of Nursing offers an MSN, RN-BSN, and traditional BSN program.

For those who have already begun their college career, the BSN is a transfer-friendly option that accepts many core classes from other degrees.

University of Missouri – Columbia

Nicknamed Mizzou, the University of Missouri – Columbia is considered one of the top public research institutions in the U.S.

What’s even more impressive is that half the student graduate with little to no debt because the annual in-state tuition is around $12,000.

Since the school is top-notch and affordable, the Sinclair School of Nursing has no problem attracting new students.

Candidates can pursue doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s-degree level programs and have access to some of the top healthcare facilities in the state.

University of Missouri – Kansas City

UMKC boasts an incredibly affordable in-state tuition of $9,400 since it’s a public university.

The school manages to maintain a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, despite the 16,000 students that attend.

Those interested in a BSN can choose a traditional or accelerated BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP (doctor nurse practitioner), and Ph.D. in nursing.

Over 94% of students passed the national licensure exam in 2021, a testament to the quality of education.

Registered Nurse Schools in Missouri – Summary Table

Salary

Becoming a nurse in the U.S. can be a highly lucrative and rewarding career, with an average national salary of $83,000 and a range between $59,500 to $106,800.

The average nursing salary in Missouri is a little lower at $77,800, ranging from $55,700 to $99,900.

Regional Salary in Missouri