For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of Missouri’s prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.
#1: University of Missouri
105 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
https://www.missouri.edu
94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 171 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#2: Missouri State University
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
https://www.missouristate.edu
94.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 52 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#3: Truman State University
100 East Normal Street
Kirksville, MO 63501
https://www.truman.edu
93.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 46 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#4: Lincoln University
820 Chestnut Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
https://www.lincolnu.edu
93.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 29 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2020
#5: College of the Ozarks
100 Opportunity Avenue
Point Lookout, MO 65726
https://www.cofo.edu
93.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#6: Maryville University
650 Maryville University Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63141
https://www.maryville.edu
92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 123 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#7: Southeast Missouri State University
One University Plaza
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
https://www.semo.edu
92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 60 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#8: Graceland University
1401 West Truman Road
Independence, MO 64050
https://www.graceland.edu
90.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 43 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#9: Saint Louis University
One Grand Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63103
https://www.slu.edu
90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 200 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#10: Missouri Southern State University
3950 East Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801
https://www.mssu.edu
90.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 41 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#11: Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
4483 Duncan Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63110
https://www.barnesjewishcollege.edu
89.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 374 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#12: Chamberlain University - St. Louis
11830 Westline Industrial Drive, Suite 106
Saint Louis, MO 63146
https://www.chamberlain.edu
89.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 153 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#13: Research College of Nursing
2525 East Meyer Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64132
https://www.researchcollege.edu
89.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 107 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#14: Central Methodist University
411 Central Methodist Square
Fayette, MO 65248
https://www.centralmethodist.edu
88.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 44 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#15: Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Drive
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
https://www.missouriwestern.edu
88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 89 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#16: University of Missouri - Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110
https://www.umkc.edu
88.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 81 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#17: Cox College
1423 North Jefferson Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
https://www.coxcollege.edu
88.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 78 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#18: University of Central Missouri
202 Administration Building
Warrensburg, MO 64093
https://www.ucmo.edu
87.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 73 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#19: Avila University
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
https://www.avila.edu
87.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#20: University of Missouri - St. Louis
One University Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63121
https://www.umsl.edu
86.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 171 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#21: Rockhurst University
624 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO 64111
https://www.rockhurst.edu
86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 133 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#22: Columbia College
1001 Rogers Street
Columbia, MO 65216
https://www.ccis.edu
85.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2020
#23: William Jewell College
500 College Street
Liberty, MO 64068
https://www.jewell.edu
85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 84 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#24: Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63141
https://www.mobap.edu
81.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 32 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2020 through 2020
#25: Park University
8700 NW River Park Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
https://www.park.edu
74.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2020
#26: Missouri Valley College
500 East College Street
Marshall, MO 65340
https://www.moval.edu
71.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2020