Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri
- 47
- Schools
- $48,106
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,066
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,412
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $31,088 at the low end to $137,047 at the top. That 4.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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St Charles Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,422 against $5,837 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is St Charles Community College, at $5,837 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: State Technical College of Missouri graduates 82% of its students, well above the 49% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Rockhurst University ($67,102 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis ($137,047). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. St Charles Community College ($5,837/yr) and University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis ($31,817/yr) produce graduates earning $42,422 and $137,047 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $25,980 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, St Charles Community College outperforms University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with St Charles Community College and State Technical College of Missouri. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $43K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Rockhurst University #1 overall | $67,102 ▲ +39% vs avg | $25,884 | 75% | 82 |
| 2 Saint Louis University #2 overall | $70,783 ▲ +47% vs avg | $24,398 | 80% | 79 |
| 3 Avila University #3 overall | $52,773 ▲ +10% vs avg | $16,053 | 47% | 78 |
| $40,837 ▼ -15% vs avg | $13,626 | 57% | 78 | |
| $56,280 ▲ +17% vs avg | $12,780 | 68% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri
This analysis ranks 47 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,106 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $16,066.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: St Charles Community College — Net Price: $5,837 | Graduation Rate: 24%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: State Technical College of Missouri — 82% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis — Median alumni earnings: $137,047
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$43,221
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$15,882
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
Across the 47 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $43,221 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 47%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $15,882 a year, with about $20,729 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 34% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.3%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Rockhurst University tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $43,221 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Rockhurst University lands at #1 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $67,102 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,884 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Saint Louis University lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $70,783 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,398 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Avila University lands at #3 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,773 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
North Central Missouri College lands at #4 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $40,837 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,626 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Truman State University lands at #5 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,280 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,780 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Saint Louis, MO · 90% accepted · $31,817 net
Why it ranks #6
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $137,047 a decade after enrolling, 185% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,817 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Maryville University of Saint Louis lands at #7 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
William Jewell College lands at #8 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $59,268 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,562 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Missouri Baptist University lands at #9 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $46,660 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,006 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Southwest Baptist University lands at #10 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $43,112 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,677 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Jefferson College lands at #11 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $40,782 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,378 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Missouri Southern State University lands at #12 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $42,620 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,007 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Mineral Area College lands at #13 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $35,352 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,045 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Ozarks Technical Community College lands at #14 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,455 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,936 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Central Missouri lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $49,560 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,462 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Webster University lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $50,876 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,047 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Stephens College lands at #17 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,071 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,459 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Northwest Missouri State University lands at #18 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $47,885 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,244 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Moberly Area Community College lands at #19 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $37,537 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,810 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
East Central College lands at #20 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,916 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,128 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cape Girardeau, MO · 74% accepted · $15,882 net
Why it ranks #21
Southeast Missouri State University lands at #21 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,030 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,882 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Missouri Western State University lands at #22 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $42,647 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,251 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Crowder College lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $35,987 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,023 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Lindenwood University lands at #24 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,278 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,638 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Fayette, MO · 57% accepted · $22,766 net
Why it ranks #25
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences lands at #25 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,991 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Missouri Valley College lands at #26 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $43,221 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,086 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Culver-Stockton College lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,092 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,983 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Evangel University lands at #28 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,573 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,669 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Drury University lands at #29 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $40,694 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,831 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
State Fair Community College lands at #30 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $35,562 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,985 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
University of Missouri-Columbia lands at #31 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,403 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,268 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Park University lands at #32 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,309 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,032 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Three Rivers College lands at #33 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $32,442 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,496 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Hannibal-LaGrange University lands at #34 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,643 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,814 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Missouri-Kansas City lands at #35 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $59,637 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,310 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Missouri State University-West Plains lands at #36 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,922 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,750 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
State Technical College of Missouri lands at #37 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $55,901 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,190 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
College of the Ozarks lands at #38 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (35/100). Graduates earn a median $41,592 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,100 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
St Charles Community College lands at #39 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $42,422 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,837 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Springfield, MO · 91% accepted · $17,613 net
Why it ranks #40
Missouri State University-Springfield lands at #40 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,827 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,613 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
University of Missouri-St Louis lands at #41 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,037 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,071 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City lands at #42 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $40,796 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,398 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Saint Louis Community College lands at #43 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $35,325 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,440 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Springfield, MO · $10,566 net
Why it ranks #44
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies lands at #44 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,694 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,566 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Columbia College lands at #45 with a 54/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $45,378 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,715 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #46 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $31,088 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,922 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Lincoln University lands at #47 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $39,463 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,092 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 47 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Nursing programs in Missouri are crucial for students aiming to enter a vital and growing field. With healthcare demands increasing, choosing the right nursing college can significantly impact future job prospects and earning potential. For instance, graduates from the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis earn an average of $137,047 after graduation, highlighting the financial benefits of a solid nursing education.
The strongest nursing schools in Missouri stand out through key outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program effectiveness. In this list, you'll find schools that not only provide quality education but also help students achieve successful careers. As you explore the rankings, consider how each institution's metrics align with your personal goals and financial situation.
Take, for example, Rockhurst University and North Central Missouri College. Rockhurst boasts a 75% graduation rate and average earnings of $67,102, while North Central Missouri College has a lower graduation rate of 57% and average earnings of $40,837. This contrast illustrates the tradeoff between financial investment and potential return, guiding your decision on which program might be the best fit for you.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 29 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Park University leads the group at 3.9%, with College of the Ozarks (3.3%) and Missouri Southern State University (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Crowder College leads at 18.3%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 15.9% across this list. Saint Louis University posts the highest success rate at 42.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.56 against a national benchmark of 1.0. William Jewell College reaches 1.79, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals a key pattern: the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy outperforms many others in terms of earnings potential, with an impressive average of $137,047. In contrast, North Central Missouri College, while more affordable with a net price of $13,626, results in a significantly lower earning potential of $40,837. This disparity highlights the importance of considering both costs and outcomes when evaluating nursing programs.
After reviewing the 46 schools listed, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing location, the campus environment, or financial aid options? Compare the graduation rates and average earnings along with your personal preferences, and weigh those against the cost of attendance. This will help you narrow down which colleges align best with your aspirations and circumstances.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on choosing the right program. A degree from a school like Saint Louis University, with an 80% graduation rate and solid earning potential, can provide a clearer route to financial security. One family's decision about education can shape their future for generations, making this choice all the more significant.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri ranking? +
Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $67,102 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 75% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis posts the highest median earnings on this list: $137,047 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,106 average across the 47 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, St Charles Community College leads: graduates earn a median $42,422 against net price of about $5,837 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
State Technical College of Missouri has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 82%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,066 a year across the 47 ranked schools with cost data. St Charles Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,837. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 47 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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