2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Kansas

Overview of Nursing Schools in Kansas

About Nursing Schools in Kansas

Kansas is always in need of nurses who are dedicated to helping patients, families, and other members in their families. Although there are currently approximately 856 registered nurses in Kentucky who have obtained their BSN degree, there is still a need for more within the state. With medical technology constantly evolving, nurses are seeking out higher education more than ever to meet the high demands of their industry. The Kansas Action Coalition has developed an Education Strategic Map. This map outlines the increase in enrollment for RN to BSN programs within the state of Kansas.

In our Kansas RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Kansas RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Kansas, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Kansas RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Kansas

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Kansas and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 20 ADN degree programs and 16 BSN degree programs in Kansas. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Kansas to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Kansas

Baker University

School of Nursing

95.59% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  615 Dearborn Street, Baldwin City, KS - 66006-0065
• 
  (785) 594-6451

Nurse Admin: Elizabeth Rosen, PhD, RN, IBCLC

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.59%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 76
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $17,871
• Percent Admitted: 93%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 29%
• Graduation Rate: 62%

University of Saint Mary

Division of Nursing

95.10% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  4100 S 4th St, Leavenworth, KS - 66048-5082
• 
  (913) 682-5151

Nurse Admin: Michelle Birdashaw, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, CCRN

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.10%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 73
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $2,550
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $18,791
• Percent Admitted: 60%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 24%
• Graduation Rate: 56%

Pittsburg State University

Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing

94.22% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1701 S Broadway, Pittsburg, KS - 66762
• 
  (620) 231-7000

Nurse Admin: Cheryl Giefer, PhD, APRN

Title: Professor and Director

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.22%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 277
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,744
• Book and Supplies: $1,000
• Percent Received Aid: 94%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,608
• Percent Admitted: 91%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 44%
• Graduation Rate: 53%

Benedictine College

Department of Nursing

93.78% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1020 N 2nd St, Atchison, KS - 66002-1499
• 
  (913) 367-5340

Nurse Admin: Jackie P. Harris, DNP, APRN, GNP-BC

Title: Title:

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.78%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 115
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $19,858
• Percent Admitted: 97%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 24%
• Graduation Rate: 65%

Emporia State University

Department of Nursing

93.20% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1 Kellogg Circle, Emporia, KS - 66801-5415
• 
  (620) 341-1200

Nurse Admin: Mary Mitsui, PhD, MSN

Title: Interim Department Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.20%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 237
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,001
• Book and Supplies: $1,000
• Percent Received Aid: 97%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,411
• Percent Admitted: 86%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 43%
• Graduation Rate: 46%

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Nursing Education Department

92.34% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  2030 E College Way, Olathe, KS - 66062-1899
• 
  (913) 782-3750

Nurse Admin: Sarah Miller, EdD, MSN, RN

Title: Chief Nursing Administrator

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.34%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN, RN to MSN

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 69
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,514
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $18,319
• Percent Admitted: 64%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 31%
• Graduation Rate: 48%

Kansas Wesleyan University

Division of Nursing Education

91.67% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  100 E. Claflin Ave., Salina, KS - 67401-6146
• 
  (785) 827-5541

Nurse Admin: Janeane M. Houchin, MSN, RN

Title: Director of Nursing Education

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.67%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

University Information

• Total Faculty: 47
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $19,062
• Percent Admitted: 62%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 24%
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Best Nursing Schools (ADN) in Kansas

Labette Community College

96.60% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  200 S 14th, Parsons, KS - 67357-4201
• 
  (620) 421-6700

Nurse Admin: Sherry Simpson,

Title: Nursing Program Assistant

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.60%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 34
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,488
• Book and Supplies: $1,050
• Percent Received Aid: 94%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,120
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 28%

Manhattan Area Technical College

94.50% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  3136 Dickens Ave, Manhattan, KS - 66503-2499
• 
  (785) 587-2800

Nurse Admin: Laurie Stegeman,

Title: Director of Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.50%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 23
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,800
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 83%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,548
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 41%

Johnson County Community College

92.20% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS - 66210-1299
• 
  (913) 469-8500

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.20%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Johnson County Community College is located in Overland Park, Kansas.  JCCC has over 46,000 student's enrolled, making it one of the state's largest higher education programs.  They offer an RN program and also an RN refresher program.  The RN refresher program is a non-degree program and is designed to prepare

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 345
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $2,256
• Book and Supplies: $5,352
• Percent Received Aid: 66%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $2,808
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 26%

Coffeyville Community College

91.70% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  400 W 11th St, Coffeyville, KS - 67337-5064
• 
  (620) 251-7700

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.70%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 46
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,040
• Book and Supplies: $1,100
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,735
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 41%

Dodge City Community College

91.50% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  2501 N 14th Ave, Dodge City, KS - 67801-2399
• 
  (620) 225-1321

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.50%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 40
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,330
• Book and Supplies: $4,830
• Percent Received Aid: 97%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,991
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 33%

Barton County Community College

91.00% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  245 NE 30th Road, Great Bend, KS - 67530
• 
  (620) 792-2701

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.00%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

University Information

• Total Faculty: 55
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,552
• Book and Supplies: $4,544
• Percent Received Aid: 86%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,567
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 39%

Additional Listings of the Kansas Nursing Programs

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Kansas

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Kansas

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Kansas offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Kansas  RN Licensing Requirements

Kansas has strict guidelines that registered nurses must follow in order to obtain licensure. Nurses can be granted licensure by exam, by endorsement, and in some cases, by completing an education program in a foreign country. All three ways require the following:

• Official transcripts sent to the Board
• Background check (takes about a month to process). It is important that candidates get the correct card from Kansas and include the $50 fee for fingerprinting

RN Licensure by Exam

When candidates have been authorized to participate in the NCLEX-RN exam, he/she can then register. There is a $200 fee that must be paid to Pearson VUE in order to register for the NCLEX exam.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

RNs who are licensed in one of the other 50 states are able to obtain licensure by endorsement. There is a $75 fee that must be paid in order to process the application. Candidates are required to provide verification of licensure. Nurses with clean legal and disciplinary histories may be given a temporary permit so they can work while going through the licensing process. Candidates who did not complete the clinical component may be eligible for licensure if they have worked at least 1,000 hours as registered nurses.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

In some cases, nurses from countries outside of the United States may be award licensure after taking the NCLEX exam after they have their qualifications evaluated through CGFNS.

RN Salaries in Kansas

It was reported that, by 2020, the number of registered nurses in Kansas could fall by 2020. Now is a better time than ever for nurses to pursue higher education. Many experienced nurses are reaching retirement and adding more to the nursing shortage. Nurses, who have obtained their Bachelor’s degree, will have the opportunity to take positions in administration, management, and other leadership positions. Some management jobs available include nursing homes, Hospice, public health, physician’s offices and occupational health nurses.

Kansas Registered Nursing Salaries

There are more registered nurses by a small gap in non-metropolitan areas than there are in the metropolitan areas of Kansas. Nurses in Topeka earn the highest annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.