Kansas has about a dozen colleges producing BSN graduates, from the University of Kansas to small faith-based colleges. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine choosing between the University of Kansas School of Nursing at a major medical centre and a small college in a Kansas town. Both can lead to an RN licence, but the experience, cost and support are very different. These numbers help you compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Kansas that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Kansas nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kansas | Lawrence | Public | 70% | 187 | $71,919 | $12,453 |
| 2 | Hesston College | Hesston | Private nonprofit | 64% | 34 | $73,205 | $34,298 |
| 3 | Benedictine College | Atchison | Private nonprofit | 63% | 35 | $76,255 | $37,750 |
| 4 | Emporia State University | Emporia | Public | 57% | 34 | $73,377 | $7,226 |
| 5 | Baker University | Baldwin City | Private nonprofit | 56% | 56 | $81,473 | $36,000 |
| 6 | Newman University | Wichita | Private nonprofit | 53% | 29 | $64,869 | $37,000 |
| 7 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg | Public | 53% | 106 | $72,207 | $8,599 |
| 8 | Washburn University | Topeka | Public | 53% | 130 | $75,726 | $10,256 |
| 9 | Wichita State University | Wichita | Public | 52% | 135 | $67,766 | $9,948 |
| 10 | Fort Hays State University | Hays | Public | 50% | 120 | $79,855 | $6,111 |
| 11 | MidAmerica Nazarene University | Olathe | Private nonprofit | 48% | 130 | $73,750 | $38,620 |
| 12 | University of Saint Mary | Leavenworth | Private nonprofit | 47% | 53 | $78,665 | $36,780 |
Also offering a BSN in Kansas (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa University-Online | Overland Park | Private nonprofit | n/a | 31 | $79,078 | $13,464 |
| Rasmussen University-Kansas | Topeka | Private for-profit | 49% | 25 | $77,969 | $17,340 |
| Ottawa University-Kansas City | Overland Park | Private nonprofit | n/a | 22 | $79,078 | n/a |
Top Kansas nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas School of Nursing, based at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, is the state’s leading public nursing school, with clinical training at The University of Kansas Health System.
- Graduation rate: 70%, number 1 in Kansas on our list
- Programme size: about 187 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $71,919 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,453 in-state tuition ($31,332 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 93%
2. Hesston College
Hesston College is a small Mennonite college in central Kansas whose nursing programme has a strong local reputation.
- Graduation rate: 64%, number 2 in Kansas on our list
- Programme size: about 34 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $73,205 one year after graduating
- Cost: $34,298 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: open or not reported
3. Benedictine College
Benedictine College in Atchison is a Catholic liberal arts college offering a BSN with small classes.
- Graduation rate: 63%, number 3 in Kansas on our list
- Programme size: about 35 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $76,255 one year after graduating
- Cost: $37,750 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 98%
4. Emporia State University
Emporia State University is a regional public university offering a lower-cost BSN in eastern Kansas.
- Graduation rate: 57%, number 4 in Kansas on our list
- Programme size: about 34 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $73,377 one year after graduating
- Cost: $7,226 in-state tuition ($15,539 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 98%
5. Baker University
Baker University in Baldwin City is the oldest university in Kansas; its School of Nursing is based in Topeka in partnership with Stormont Vail Health.
- Graduation rate: 56%, number 5 in Kansas on our list
- Programme size: about 56 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $81,473 one year after graduating
- Cost: $36,000 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 94%
Wichita State University and Fort Hays State University also train many Kansas nurses at public tuition.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Kansas
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Kansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Kansas offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 15 colleges in Kansas produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,127 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Kansas nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Kansas has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 70%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Kansas?
University of Kansas produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 187 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Kansas?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $64,869 to $81,473, with a typical (median) figure of about $75,726. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Kansas?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $6,111 to $12,453 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Kansas State Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Kansas State Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Kansas State Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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