Online RN to BSN Programs in Missouri

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Missouri

1. Saint Louis University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes – View Accepted States

SLU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is packed with possibilities. It can be completed in an accelerated time-frame. It includes a Community Project for RNs. And it’s well-connected. The Valentine School of Nursing is located in the SLU Medical Center, within easy walking distance of SSM hospitals. Student reviewers have nothing but praise for the expertise & support of instructors, the rigor of programs, and employment options for graduates. SLU is a Private Jesuit university, so tuition rates tend to be higher than public schools. However, it offers all kinds of way to offset costs, including nursing scholarships, deferred payment for tuition reimbursement, and tuition discounts for corporate partners, including BJC Healthcare and SSM Health.

2. University of Missouri

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 26+ (Usually 30)
• Length: 4 Semesters (Full-Time); 6 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes – Check State Authorization for Exceptions

MU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is a no-brainer for our #2 spot. It’s flexible, practical, and full of opportunities. During the 45-hour clinical in Community Health, you can work with a county health agency, serve as a summer camp nurse, or take advantage of travel abroad opportunities. The Sinclair School of Nursing can boast of great pass rates for the NCLEX & NP certification exams and graduate placement rates of 98%-100%. It’s an integral part of the University of Missouri Health System. And it offers plenty of BSN to DNP pathways and MSN options. Coming from a public Missouri community college? Ask about dual enrollment and be sure to apply for the tuition discount.

3. University of Missouri-Kansas City

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 36
• Length: 5 Semesters (Full-Time); 6+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes – Check State Authorization

UMKC’s 100% Online RN to BSN is a worthy addition to Missouri’s Best. The School of Nursing and Health Studies has excellent NCLEX pass rates, strong national rankings for its Online MSN, well-funded research projects, community partnerships with major hospitals & health systems, and superb student reviews. According to one alumna, traditional BSN graduates are first in line for jobs at Kansas City hospitals. To promote collaboration, the Online RN to BSN is a mix of synchronous and asynchronous coursework. It also includes team-directed practice experiences in the final year. In-state tuition is manageable (just watch out for the ancillary fees). Neighboring RNs may qualify for the Kansas Rate or Heartland Rate.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Missouri

We’re happy to report that Missouri is an affordable state for Online RN to BSN students! Unlike some coastal states (e.g. New York and California), MO universities don’t charge through the nose. All of the options in our Cheap MO rankings fall under $9,500 in total tuition if you don’t need extra prerequisites or GE courses.

However, we have one key recommendation for Missouri schools: Ask the RN to BSN coordinator for a sample budget. Many public RN to BSN programs in MO come with additional program & course fees. Your costs may go up accordingly.

1. Missouri Western State University

• Program: Online Diploma/ADN to BSN Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes for Griffon Rate Waiver States
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

If you qualify for in-state rates, total tuition for MWSU’s Online Diploma/ADN to BSN Completion is eminently affordable—be aware that there may be additional program and course fees. The out-of-state rate is almost twice the in-state rate. However, many states qualify for a special Griffon Rate Waiver. Discounts are also available for North Kansas City Hospital, Liberty Hospital, Truman Medical Center, and Mosaic Life Care employees.

2. Central Methodist University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes – See Approved States
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

CMU is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. That means the tuition price for its Online RN to BSN is the same for all students, regardless of their state of residence. College of Graduate and Extended Studies rates are subject to additional fees (e.g. Graduation Fee), but they’re not particularly onerous. Check the list of Approved States before you apply.

3. University of Central Missouri

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

UCM’s 100% Online RN-BSN is not only fast, it’s relatively affordable. Even though UCM is a public school, the online tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. UCM also offers an Undergraduate Active Military Tuition Discount. You’ll notice that per credit hour rates do not include various fees (e.g. technology). Refer to the current fee schedule on the tuition page and ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for a sample budget.

4. Southeast Missouri State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 26
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes – Only for IL, KY, or AR residents
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

Do you live in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, or Arkansas? The tuition cost for SMSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is only a few hundred dollars more than MWSU. RNs from other states are not eligible to apply. Only 6 BSN courses are required and field experiences can be completed in your home location. Keep in mind that special program fees are required for this program of study.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Missouri

To appear in our Fastest rankings, Missouri Online RN to BSN programs had to be quicker than 1 year/3 semesters. Any program that took 12 months or more was automatically excluded. Happily, both of these MO schools also appear in our Best rankings. You won’t have to sacrifice quality for speed!

1. University of Central Missouri

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 3+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

On a full-time schedule, UCM’s 100% Online RN-BSN can be completed in 8 months (part-time options are also available). In this scenario, you might take 5 courses in the first semester and 6 courses in the second semester. Coursework will include 2 practicums in Community Health and Nursing Leadership in Management. You can start this 2-semester program in the fall, spring, or summer term.

2. Saint Louis University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes – View Accepted States

SLU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is available in a full-time, 2-semester plan of study or a part-time, 4-semester format. View the Roadmap to plan your schedule. If you opt for the full-time pathway, you might take 4 courses in the fall semester (including a course in Leadership and Management for RNs) and 4 courses in the spring semester (including a 16-week Community Project for RNs).

RN to BSN Scholarships in Missouri

RN to BSN Requirements in Missouri

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Missouri universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—your RN license. There is a little bit of leeway in this rule. For example:

• Applicants to MU’s 100% Online RN to BSN must have an RN license OR or provide evidence of eligibility to sit for the NCLEX during the first semester of enrollment. (For dual enrollment students, selected courses may be taken without RN licensure).

Check the Admissions section of your program for full details. If you have questions on state licensure, the Missouri State Board of Nursing can provide answers. The Board also posts annual NCLEX Pass Rates and a list of Approved Nursing Programs. Although NCLEX pass rates don’t apply to post-licensure programs, we like to use them as an extra check on quality.

State Authorization: Do you live outside of Missouri? Be sure you’re eligible to apply. In our research, we noticed that a number of MO schools—including MU, UMKC, SLU, CMU, UMSL, Southeast, and others—were only able to accept RNs from certain states. Check the section on State Authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Missouri?

Absolutely. The vast majority of programs in our state listings and our MO rankings are 100% online. You can truly have your pick! Just remember that will you be expected to tackle on-the-ground practicums in your home community and/or place of employment.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you’d prefer the personal touch, you could consider:

• Southeast’s CCNE-accredited Hybrid RN to BSN Completion Program: Courses are offered in a blended format with didactic classes meeting one day per week.
• Lincoln University’s ACEN-accredited Hybrid RN-BSN Program: Didactic BSN nursing courses & practicums are online. However, students are required to participate in on-campus activities (e.g. projects or presentations).

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN Program in Missouri?

It depends on what you mean by “clinicals.” CCNE-accredited and ACEN-accredited post-licensure BSN programs usually include a direct care focus that’s woven into the Community Health course. You may also be asked to complete practicums for your Nursing Leadership course and/or capstone project.

If you’re enrolled in a 100% online program in Missouri, you’ll be able to tackle these practicums in your home community and/or place of employment. Feel free to ask the RN to BSN program coordinator about this process (e.g. what kinds of local sites & preceptors are acceptable).

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Missouri?

Thinking about graduate work, but need a BSN for employment purposes? Online RN to BSN to MSN programs are designed to allow you to earn a BSN and an MSN in a shortened time-frame.

• We didn’t find any Missouri-based schools that offered unique Online RN to BSN to MSN programs. However, MU’s 100% Online RN to BSN has a special graduate pathway that permits students to take graduate-level credit while enrolled in the RN-BSN program.
• You can also explore our listings of RN to BSN to MSN Programs. For example, Graceland University—which has a campus in Independence—offers an Online RN to BSN to MSN that allows you to “stop out” if you desire to leave the program after earning your BSN.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Missouri Online RN to BSN Programs?

Maybe. Statistics is a standard prerequisite for Online RN to BSN programs, but universities are often willing to let you take the course while you are completing your degree. For instance:

• In MU’s 100% Online RN to BSN, General Education & Foundation prerequisites (including Statistics) may be completed at MU or transferred from any accredited college or university.
• In SLU’s 100% Online RN to BSN, applicants must have a mathematics prerequisite, but this course can be college-level Algebra (no intermediate or basic/elementary), Mathematics, or Data Analysis/Statistics at a level of 1000 or above. SLU is a Christian school, so it also requires a prerequisite in Theological Foundations.

If you don’t have Statistics, check the Admissions & Curriculum sections and talk to the RN to BSN program coordinator about your options.

Can I Choose an On-Campus RN to BSN Program in Missouri?

Yes. The Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College offers 2 in-person, CCNE-accredited options for RN to BSN Completion:

• The 20-month Upper Division Option is designed for for undergraduate transfer students. This full-time program includes 30-40 hours per week of classroom & simulation lab coursework and clinical experiences at top hospitals.
• The 12-month Accelerated Option is for RNs with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field. This 1-year program includes 40-50 hours per week of classroom & simulation lab coursework and clinical experiences at top hospitals.