2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Kansas

Baker University is a private educational institution located in Baldwin City, Kansas. Its curriculum has its roots in the liberal arts. Its School of Nursing has provided quality education for more than two decades through early clinical immersion and rigorous coursework. With this, Baker University has produced an excellent first-taker passing rate of 90% in NCLEX, significantly higher than the state and national average. In terms of employment, 95+% of Baker graduates with license and currently residing in Kansas are employed within 3 months of graduation.

Pre Nursing This program is designed in partnership with Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, wherein after completion of 62-hour prerequisites from the Baldwin City Campus of Baker University, students can proceed to their two-year professional program in the aforementioned institution. For those with a GPA of 3.0 or better, an admission preference is given. The curriculum is a blend of personalized learning, first-hand observation, and clinical immersions.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing This program puts emphasis on real-world, students’ engagement and service, and state-of-the-art learning through the simulation lab. Moreover, Baker University’s students are exposed to different professional developments with their membership in Kansas Association of Nursing Students and the National Student Nurses Association. Classes are held in small groups for optimum interaction.

Master of Science in Nursing The MSN program is a blend of evidence-based practice and advanced nursing theory which can be taken in two tracks- Nursing Education and Nursing Administration. Each of these tracks consist of 9 credits for chosen specialization, and 31-33 units for the core program.  The former is geared to prepare students for their roles in the staff-development and academic settings, while the latter is focused on preparation for health care managerial and leadership roles.

Associate Degree in Nursing to Master of Science in Nursing Designed for individuals with Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to transition to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at a faster and less expensive option. This consists of a series of bridge courses online for MSN program preparation. To be admitted, requirements include an ADN from a ACEN/CNEA-accredited nursing program, and a GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4 scale).

Benedictine College is a Catholic educational institution with a focus on liberal arts located in Atchison, Kansas. It was given an accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission to grant degrees. This college received numerous awards and recognition, among these are from the U.S. News & World Report and College Consensus as #14 Best College in Midwest Regional Colleges and #1 College in Kansas, respectively.

Benedictine College’s Department of Nursing which is hailed as the #38 Top Nursing School in the Midwest offers a BSN degree. The department aims to educate its students in providing competent and responsible nursing care for all patients.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree The four-year BSN program is also known as 2+2 in nursing because of the required completion of nursing prerequisites and liberal arts coursework for two years prior to attendance in the College’s BSN program. Students can do simulation activities and practice in the Mother Teresa Center for Nursing and Health Education for it has four simulation rooms and a clinical skills laboratory.

This program received an accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and an approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing to admit 36 junior students annually. With this, admission is competitive and standards include a CGPA of 3.0 or above, and a grade of C or better and a GPA of 3.0 above in all the prerequisite courses. Moreover, meeting these qualifications does not guarantee program entry.

Pittsburg State University named after its location Pittsburg, Kansas, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing is the premiere nursing school in the Midwest. With around 50 years in educating nursing professionals. This school provides bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing which are CCNE-accredited.

Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Major This pre-licensure BSN track is designed for individuals who would like to become registered nurses or pursue an advanced practice with this as the bridge program. In terms of licensure exam passing rates, Bradley School of Nursing has a high 98.68% and 91.03% rate in the 2018 and 2019 NCLEX-RN, respectively. Moreover, this program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

RN to BSN Nursing The RN to BSN Nursing program is tailored for students with a nursing license who would like to pursue a nursing baccalaureate degree. The courses are done online, and the program can be completed within 12 months when done full-time. A part-time option is also available for RNs working full-time.

MSN-Nursing (Education Emphasis) For those who want to apply their clinical knowledge in the education setting, the Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Education is the program designed for them. It consists of 33-credit hours done online to allow for flexibility for working individuals.  Program graduates are eligible to take the Nurse Educator Certification Examination.

BSN to DNP (Doctoral Degree) The BSN to DNP program has two tracks for specialization- Advanced Practice Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing with Education Emphasis. The former is a 74-credit hour focused on clinical or institutional leadership, while the latter is a 78-credit hour focused on nursing education leadership.

MSN to DNP Similar to BSN to DNP, the MSN to DNP offer the said tracks for specialization. Graduates of this program will be conferred a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Nurse Educator Certificate This 13-credit hour post-master’s certificate program is designed for individuals who already possess MSN, DNP or PhD in nursing. This will allow them to enhance their knowledge and skills in preparation for a nurse educator role. Program graduates can take the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) examination.

Founded in 1863, Emporia State University (ESU), is an education institution located in Emporia, Kansas. Its Department of Nursing under the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences utilizes a high-impact learning approach made possible with its hands-on experiences through simulation labs and clinical sites, and small class sizes. ESU’s nursing baccalaureate degree is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) and the Kansas Board of Regents.  Moreover, the said degree received a Continuing Accreditation as the latest decision from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). In terms of National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) performance, ESU holds a record of 93% average for the past three years.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing This BSN program consists of 128-credit hours inclusive of 60 and 68 nursing and non-nursing credit hours respectively. Once admitted into the major, the nursing curriculum can then be completed in just two years. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

RN to BSN Online This ACEN-accredited track is one of the options to gain a BSN degree, designed specifically for registered nurses. It can be completed in just 12 months with online coursework for flexibility.

Online Master of Science in Nursing This 32-hour program is designed for career and professional improvement with three tracks of specialization. Students can either choose from these three tracks: Nursing Healthcare Management, Nursing Healthcare Education, and a blend of these. With courses facilitated online, this MSN program offers flexibility.

MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) is a liberal arts university founded in 1966. This comprehensive and transformative university in Olathe, Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers nursing degrees and has a track record of excelling in the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). MNU has a 9-year and 11-year streak of higher than that of the nation’s and state’s average pass rate, respectively.

Traditional Nursing Program This CCNE-accredited program requires candidates to undergo a separate admission process aside from the MNU application.

Accelerated BSN Program Designed for students with baccalaureate degrees in other fields, or LPNs, and paramedic/MICT, this program allows these individuals to fast-track their nursing career and earn a BSN degree in just 12 months. It consists of 64-credit hours which is a blend of on-site meetings and hybrid online and on campus classes. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

RN to BSN Program Online This accelerated, fully-online online program allows RNs to earn a BSN degree within 12 months when done full-time. A part-time option is also available. Both options require a minimum of 30 credit hours. In order to be eligible for BSN graduation, a 120-credit hour is required.

RN to MSN Program Online This accelerated program is designed for motivated students because this allows both undergraduate and graduate courses to be taken simultaneously. Depending on one’s pace, BSN and MSN can be completed in 36 months with a required 72-credit hours. 

MSN Nursing Program This program is designed for RNs with BSN degrees who would like to increase their professional and educational nursing knowledge. It comes in four different tracks, and is done online at a flexible pace, either full-time or part-time. When done full-time it can be completed in as fast as 26 months.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner MSN Track A 48-credit hour which can be taken online, and is designed for licensed registered nurses with a BSN degree. Aside from the online coursework, two on-site intensives are also required.

MSN/MBA Dual Degree Program This enables BSN-degree holders licensed registered nurses to attain two- degree programs (Master of Science in Nursing, Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration) simultaneously. A combined plan of study is developed which is a blend of online and in-person coursework, and can be completed in as fast as 2 years.

Nursing Certificate Programs for Graduates This post-graduate certificate program is for individuals who want to grow their nursing career and/or industry leadership skills. It has for specialty track options: Healthcare Administration, Nursing Education, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate* or Healthcare Quality.

University of Saint Mary (USM) is an applied liberal arts Catholic educational institution located in Leavenworth. It has an 11:1 student to faculty ratio, and the university has a growing focus on health care education. Among the programs offered in its Nursing Department are:

Traditional BSN-Nursing Program This CCNE-accredited program consists of 125 total credits inclusive of 64 nursing credits. It is intended for incoming freshmen as a direct entry into a BSN program. In terms of NCLEX performance, USM has a 92.98% passing rate, higher than that of the national average.

Accelerated Nursing Degree Intended for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees to fast-track their transition into the nursing profession. It offers flexibility, and can be finished depending on one’s pace, as this 64-credit hours, or two years of traditional coursework can be completed in just one year. In terms of NCLEX performance, USM’s accelerated nursing degree graduate has a high first-time pass rate of 94.83%.

RN to BSN Designed for professionals with an RN license, this RN to BSN program allows them to obtain a BSN degree in just 12-18 months. It consists of 28 core nursing credits and up to 96 transfer credits which can be done either in a convenient distance or on-site learning.

MSN-FNP The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track can be completed in two years. It consists of 50 total credit hours with 720 clinical hours in 12 terms. Program graduates are eligible to take the FNP national certification.

MSN This online Master of Science in Nursing program is CCNE accredited. It offers two specialized tracks to choose from—Nurse Administrator or Nurse Educator, with a total credit hour of 35, and the latter specialization requiring additional 60 clinical hours

FNP CERTIFICATION (POST-MASTERS) This Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Program is designed for individuals who already possess an MSN degree for them. This consists of 24-38 credits inclusive of 720 clinical hours which can be completed in either two or four semesters. Students with NP certification in Pediatric, Mental Health, Acute Care, and Adult Gerontology are eligible for the two-semester schedule.

University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas.  They have an expansive nursing program.  They offer a traditional BSN program. Their RN to BSN program is online and is designed to be flexible so that it can accommodate the needs of its students; it can be completed as quickly as one year, or students can opt to take as long as five years.

Newman University is located in Wichita, Kansas.  They offer a BSN program, an RN to BSN program and an LPN to BSN program.  They also offer a "Direct Admit Program", which is designed to allow exceptionally high-achieving high school seniors into the BSN program.

Labette Community College (LCC) is an educational institution in Parsons, Kansas, and is accredited by the Higher Learner Commission. This college believes in educational equity, and non-discrimination, hence all students are admitted regardless of religion, gender and sexual identity, race and national origin, age, etc.

Its nursing programs, established in 1968, received accreditations from the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing This 66-credit, bi-level, step-out-program is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to transition into becoming Registered Nurses (RN). Hence, it offers career mobility. The student has two options: either take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing-Practical Nursing exam (NCLEX-PN), by opting out of the RN program; or matriculate through it and be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing-Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). The former involves successful completion of Level I wherein the student will be conferred a Practical Nurse Certificate. The latter option needs successful completion of Levels I and II in order to be awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Pre-BSN Associate in Science This 60-credit program is tailored to articulate RN graduates of LCC to the RN-to-BSN completion program of Kansas University (KU) School of Nursing. Hence, this program is designed from the formal agreement of KU and LCC. After program graduation, students are ready to transfer to their desired university and pursue their Baccalaureate degree in Nursing. For students who want to continue RN-to-BSN studies in universities other than KU, they should follow the General Studies degree plan in order for different curriculum plans to be accommodated.  

Manhattan Area Technical College (MATC) is an educational institution in Manhattan, Kansas. Established in 1976 by the Kansas State Board of Education, this college is now hailed as “the best education at the lowest price” in Kansas for three years in a row.

MATC offers various programs in healthcare. Its practical nursing program is ranked the third best in the state, and the school itself was recognized as 2021 best nursing school in Kansas. Among the programs offered are:

Associate Degree Nursing Program This 62-credit program serves as a bridge for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to become Registered Nurses (RNs). This MATC associate degree program consists of coursework and clinical practice, aligned with the Kansas Board of Regents curriculum, and is accredited by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

To be admitted, students must: complete the required prerequisites, have at most 10-credit hours from a PN certificate program, and own a Windows-based device. Program graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Practical Nursing Program Designed to prepare students for their role as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), this 46-credit program applies the Kansas Practical Nursing Core Curriculum. Hence, students will undergo a blend of classroom and clinical experiences, and the 46-credit hours consist of 14 prerequisites and 32 technical specialty courses.

Aside from eligibility to take the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) upon program graduation, this also acts as the first level for those students who would like to continue nursing education.

Established in 1923, Coffeyville Community College (CCC), named after its location, Coffeyville, Kansas, is a comprehensive post-secondary learning institution. This college is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Majority of its classes are offered online through the distance learning program.  91% of CCC’s total credit hours are taught by full-time faculty. In terms of employment, CCC’s LPN and RN graduates have a 100% job placement rate.

Practical Nursing (PN) program This one-year certificate program aims to prepare students for entry level nursing positions in a variety of healthcare settings. To be admitted, candidates must possess a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certificate. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN Examination. They may also pursue education in a Registered Nurse associate degree program.

Registered Nurse (RN) program This program is focused towards the Registered Nurse curriculum completion.  Program requirement includes any of the following: A Kansas LPN or Paramedic license or a Kansas-recognized multi-state LPN license. For students from out-of-state they may need to complete additional coursework in order to meet the standard curriculum requirements of Kansas.

Graduates of this two-year program will be conferred an Associate of Applied Science degree with eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN Examination. It also provides them an option to pursue or transfer to BSN programs. For those who would like the latter option, CCC has agreements with various 4-year colleges and universities where students can continue their BSN education.

Dodge City Community College (DC3) is a student-centered educational institution founded in 1935. This college situated in Dodge City, is accredited by both the Kansas Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. Among the programs offered in its Allied Health department are:

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree This two-year degree allows for a certification option as a practical nurse after the first year.  The curriculum is a blend of theory and applicant in various clinical settings, with the clinical experiences done on week-ends. For those who hold a PN license with a practical experience of one year, they may apply for the program and complete the last two semesters. Graduates who successfully complete the program may take the licensure exam. Moreover, this program received approval and accreditation from the Kansas State Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), respectively.

Para-Professional Nursing This involves short-term courses and training in order to prepare students for employment in various clinical and healthcare settings as well as for the state certification exams. For high school students seeking program admission, they need to have a permission from their high school. However, for 18+ years old applicants, a high school diploma or GED is no longer required prior to program admission. Successful completion of this program allows students to find employment as a Geriatric Nurse Aide, (CAN), Nursing Home Medication Aide (CMA), Nurse Aide, Home Health Aide and Activity Director.