2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Missouri

1

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Our analysis ranked Crowder College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in Missouri. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,528 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $62,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO

A rank of #2 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,667. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered 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, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $68,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $17,587 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $67,023. That is a strong return on a $17,587 median debt.

5

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $61,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $21,188 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $63,534 early in their careers. Set against $21,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

State Fair Community College
Sedalia, MO

State Fair Community College earned the #7 position for value in registered nursing this year. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. Set against $19,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,554. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $67,439. That is a strong return on a $22,554 median debt.

9

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff, MO

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,490. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $65,883. Set against $17,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $57,521. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

11

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,736. Set against $25,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12

North Central Missouri College
Trenton, MO

North Central Missouri College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,667 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,504. That is a strong return on a $24,667 median debt.

13

Missouri State University West Plains
West Plains, MO

Missouri State University West Plains placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Plains. In-state tuition and fees average $5,936, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Missouri State University West Plains generally make around $56,681. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.

14

Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO

Mineral Area College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $60,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

Missouri Southern State University landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $25,774 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,273. That is a strong return on a $25,774 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.

16

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $100,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $107,719. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

18

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University earned the #18 position for value in registered nursing this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $70,938. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

East Central College
Union, MO

East Central College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,125. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,554. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.

20

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $68,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.

21

Linn State Technical College
Linn, MO

Linn State Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $45,538. That is a strong return on a $11,042 median debt.

22

Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,388. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

24

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $84,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,581 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $84,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.