2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Missouri
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 58 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Crowder College tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools in Missouri. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Students borrow a median of $14,528 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $62,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $68,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $68,488. Set against $18,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moberly Area Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,587 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,250. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,192. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $63,534. Set against $21,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $61,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,490 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $65,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,490 median debt.
Jefferson College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,554 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $67,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #10 spot for nursing value this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Nursing graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $57,521 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Truman State University placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Missouri College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $66,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University West Plains came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Missouri State University West Plains earn a median of $56,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,666 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $60,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,666 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,774 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $62,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,774 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $100,122. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #17 among the best values for nursing. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $107,719 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $70,938. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
East Central College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of East Central College earn a median of $62,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $68,302 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Linn State Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,042. Nursing graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $45,538 early in their careers. Set against $11,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,500. Nursing graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $64,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #24 position for value in 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $84,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,581 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $84,405 early in their careers. Set against $25,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
- 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.
