Top Nursing Schools in Missouri
This page lists 66 schools in Missouri that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 28 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 23 associate degree (ADN), 37 bachelor's (BSN), 18 master's and 5 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 36 public, 25 private nonprofit and 5 private for-profit. 31 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Saint Louis (7), Kansas City (6), Springfield (4) and Cape Girardeau (3).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (66)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal, MO | Private nonprofit | ADN, BSN | CCNE, ACEN |
| Jefferson College | Hillsboro, MO | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Kirksville Area Technical Center | Kirksville, MO | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Lex La-Ray Technical Center | Lexington, MO | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City, MO | Public | ADN, BSN | ACEN (candidate) |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-FNP | CCNE |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Mineral Area College | Park Hills, MO | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Missouri Baptist University | Saint Louis, MO | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership | — |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin, MO | Public | BSN | ACEN |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield, MO | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP, Doctorate-CRNA | CCNE |
| Missouri State University-West Plains | West Plains, MO | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Missouri Valley College | Marshall, MO | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP | — |
| Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph, MO | Public | BSN, MSN-Leadership, Grad Cert-Leadership | CCNE |
| Moberly Area Community College | Moberly, MO | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN (candidate) |
| North Central Missouri College | Trenton, MO | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO | Public | BSN, MSN | — |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield, MO | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Park University | Parkville, MO | Private nonprofit | BSN | CCNE |
| Pike-Lincoln Technical Center | Eolia, MO | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
Before you apply in Missouri
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Missouri. See online coursework and clinical requirements.