Best Nursing Schools in Kansas City: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 23, 2026
Compare 12 Kansas City nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data.
Why Study Nursing in Kansas City?
Kansas City is a growing healthcare market with strong demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 12 institutions offering nursing programs at various levels, from affordable ADN degrees to doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of Missouri-Kansas City (Kansas City) — 75.0% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $11,988/year. Nursing graduates earn $166,758/year (Doctoral Degree).
Rockhurst University (Kansas City) — 69.0% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $43,420/year. Nursing graduates earn $107,312/year (Master's Degree).
Avila University (Kansas City) — 59.5% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $38,672/year. Nursing graduates earn $59,476/year (Bachelor's Degree).
William Jewell College (Liberty) — 34.3% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $19,890/year. Nursing graduates earn $61,421/year (Bachelor's Degree).
Research College of Nursing (Kansas City). In-state tuition: N/A/year. Nursing graduates earn $101,962/year (Master's Degree).
Concorde Career College-Kansas City (Kansas City) — 98.8% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: N/A/year. Nursing graduates earn $59,284/year (Associate's Degree).
Community College & Affordable Nursing Programs
- Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City (Kansas City): $3,630/year, nursing graduates earn $59,960/year
- Johnson County Community College (Overland Park): $2,328/year, nursing graduates earn $53,608/year
- Kansas City Kansas Community College (Kansas City): $3,150/year, nursing graduates earn $56,419/year
How to Choose
Consider your budget, career goals, and timeline. Community college ADN programs offer the fastest and cheapest path to an RN license. University BSN and graduate programs lead to higher earnings and more career options. Many nurses start with an ADN and bridge to BSN while working.
Financial Aid
Check your state's grant programs, federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year), and HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarships for nursing-specific aid. Many hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees.
Next Steps
Compare Kansas City nursing programs on GradeToGrad.
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