Accredited nursing programs in Missouri
34 schools in Missouri have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 26 BSN, 12 ADN, 15 MSN programs. 2 hold both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 21 of 26 listings are CCNE and 5 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 26
- 5 ACEN, 21 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 12
- 12 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 15
- 2 ACEN, 13 CCNE
Accredited schools in Missouri
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avila University | Kansas City | Private | CCNE | – | – |
| Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing | Saint Louis | Private | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout | Private | CCNE | – | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia | Private | – | ACEN | – |
| Concorde Career College-Kansas City | Kansas City | For-profit | ACEN | – | – |
| Cox College | Springfield | Private | CCNE | ACEN | CCNE |
| Crowder College | Neosho | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal | Private | CCNE | ACEN | – |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis | Private | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Public | ACEN | – | – |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield | Public | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Missouri State University-West Plains | West Plains | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Missouri Valley College | Marshall | Private | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph | Public | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Park University | Parkville | Private | CCNE | – | – |
| Research College of Nursing | Kansas City | For-profit | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Saint Louis University | Saint Louis | Private | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Public | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar | Private | ACEN | ACEN | ACEN |
| St Charles Community College | Cottleville | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Stephens College | Columbia | Private | CCNE | – | – |
| Three Rivers College | Poplar Bluff | Public | – | ACEN | – |
| Truman State University | Kirksville | Public | CCNE | – | – |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg | Public | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia | Public | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | Kansas City | Public | CCNE | – | CCNE |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis | Public | CCNE | – | – |
| Webster University | Saint Louis | Private | ACEN | – | ACEN |
| William Jewell College | Liberty | Private | CCNE | – | – |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- Cox College, ADN: Closing. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Columbia College, ADN: With Warning. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Lincoln University, BSN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Lincoln University, ADN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Missouri
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Missouri board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 26. For bachelor’s degrees, 26 of 36 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (72%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Missouri are accredited?
We matched 34 Missouri schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 26 BSN, 12 ADN, 15 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Missouri?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Missouri bachelor’s programs accredited?
26 of the 36 Missouri schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.