Best ADN Programs in Kansas for 2026

Hutchinson Community College's ACEN-accredited ADN program runs as a selective-admission Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Three tracks give working adults real flexibility: the Traditional option for pre-nursing students, an LPN-to-RN Traditional track for licensed practical nurses already in the field, and a Paramedic or LPN-to-RN Online track that allows the bridge coursework to be completed remotely while clinical hours remain in-person. All tracks are ranked by a competitive point system, so academic preparation directly shapes your admission odds. The program carries both HLC institutional accreditation and ACEN programmatic accreditation, and holds continuing approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

At $2,970 per year in-state, HutchCC sits among the lowest-cost pathways to an RN license in Kansas. The 53% graduation rate reflects the program's clinical rigor and competitive entry, not a failing institution; the school enrolls more than 5,100 students and offers robust allied health support. Hakia's #1 Kansas ADN ranking (score 87.4) weights cost, accreditation standing, and program completeness, placing HutchCC at the top of the state list. Graduates who earn the license work as fully credentialed RNs eligible for the same positions as BSN holders, with the national median salary for registered nurses at $97,550 per year according to BLS. The LPN-to-RN online bridge is the most distinctive differentiator: LPNs who want to upgrade their license without leaving their job can do classroom work remotely while scheduling clinicals locally.

The program is a strong fit for career-changers who need the fastest affordable route to an RN license, and for LPNs or paramedics who want formal credit for experience they already have. Applicants apply through HutchCC's Dragon Zone portal and must submit transcripts and meet all prerequisite requirements before ranking is calculated. Background-check clearance with the Kansas State Board of Nursing is required prior to licensure regardless of graduation status.

Fort Hays Tech North Central in Beloit runs a full-time, 18-month Associate of Applied Science in Nursing under a structured 1+1 model with multiple entry and exit points. In year one, students complete the practical nursing curriculum; passing that year makes them eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and earn a Certificate in Practical Nursing. Students who continue into year two complete the ADN curriculum and become eligible for the NCLEX-RN, earning the AAS degree. Nursing theory is taught in the classroom by practicing professionals, and clinical experience is delivered entirely through supervised, in-person hands-on rotations. The program is a competitive application process and requires completion of specific prerequisite courses, including a TEAS entrance exam with a minimum composite score of 50%.

Fort Hays Tech NC posts an 78% graduation rate, the highest among Kansas ADN programs in this ranking and a meaningful signal of student success relative to the state average. In-state and out-of-state tuition are identical at $5,530 per year, which removes the geographic penalty for students driving in from surrounding rural counties. The Hakia Score of 83.1 places the program at #2 statewide, reflecting strong completion outcomes despite a smaller enrollment of 987 students. Graduates earn the same RN license as BSN holders and are eligible for the national median RN wage of $97,550 per year per BLS. The multiple exit point structure is a genuine advantage: a student who needs to pause after year one holds a marketable LPN credential and can re-enter to finish the ADN when circumstances allow.

This program suits students who want a clear, sequential credential ladder and value a high completion rate over rock-bottom tuition. The flat in-state/out-of-state rate also makes it accessible to students from neighboring states or Kansas counties far from other community colleges. Applications for the ADN track are accepted separately from the PN track; both require prerequisite completion and TEAS scores on file before the selection deadline.

Cloud County Community College in Concordia offers a traditional two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing that combines classroom theory with mandatory in-person clinical rotations held on campus and at area healthcare sites during the week. The program carries ACEN national accreditation and Kansas State Board of Nursing approval. Admission runs on two annual cycles, with a fall deadline of January 31 and a spring deadline of October 1, giving prospective students more scheduling flexibility than programs with a single annual cohort. The generic traditional option requires a current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification at admission, though a waiver may be granted for applicants with active healthcare experience in another specialty. The entrance exam consists of an ATI Fundamentals of Nursing assessment plus mathematics and critical thinking components, administered at Cloud County's Technical Education and Innovation Center in Concordia.

At $2,340 per year in-state, Cloud County holds the lowest tuition of any program in this Kansas ADN ranking, making it the most affordable path to an RN license in the state for residents. The 55% graduation rate is consistent with other selective community-college ADN programs in Kansas and reflects the clinical demands of the curriculum rather than weak academic support. The Hakia Score of 82.9 earns the program the #3 spot in Kansas, with cost efficiency as a primary driver. Graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN as BSN-prepared nurses and enter the workforce as fully licensed registered nurses; the national BLS median for RNs is $97,550 per year. The college also lists a Partnership AAS/BSN pathway on its nursing landing page, signaling a clear articulation route for graduates who later want to pursue a BSN while employed.

Cloud County is the right choice for Kansas residents who want to minimize upfront debt and have flexibility on start semester. The CNA requirement for the generic track is an extra credential to acquire before applying, but it also means admitted students arrive with direct patient-care experience, which eases the clinical transition. The Geary County campus in Junction City expands geographic reach for students in central Kansas.

Colby Community College's ADN program uses a 1+1 curriculum model: year one covers the practical nursing curriculum and leads to a Certificate in Practical Nursing, while year two completes the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. A separate transition track is available for paramedics and respiratory therapy technicians (RRTs) with at least one year of field experience; those students complete three bridge courses in the summer semester before entering the ADN year in the fall, compressing the time to licensure. All clinical hours are in-person and supervised. The program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and holds full ACEN accreditation through at least spring 2029. The annual application deadline is March 1.

In-state tuition runs $2,670 per year, placing Colby among the most affordable ADN routes in western Kansas. The 55% graduation rate matches peer community-college ADN programs in the state and reflects selective admission rather than low academic standards. Hakia's score of 81.1 ranks the program #4 in Kansas; at that score, it still outperforms the majority of ADN programs nationally on the cost-and-outcomes index. Graduates hold a full RN license identical to that of a BSN graduate and are eligible for the national RN median wage of $97,550 per year per BLS. The college also offers a pre-nursing Associate of Arts for students planning to transfer directly to a four-year BSN program rather than taking the ADN route, so the campus supports both entry strategies.

Colby is particularly well-suited for healthcare workers already in the field, especially paramedics and RRTs who want to leverage existing clinical experience for an accelerated path to RN licensure. For traditional students in western Kansas, the 1+1 model means earning an LPN credential at the end of year one, which can be used to work in the field while completing year two. International applicants must meet TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test minimums before applying to the nursing program.

Manhattan Area Technical College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a 62-credit, full-time, on-campus program delivered in the college's dedicated nursing lab alongside required clinical rotations. Two cohorts launch each academic year — August and January — giving applicants more entry points than most community-college programs in Kansas. MATC runs a selective admissions process capped at 24 students per cohort. A formal bridge track is built into the fall cycle: MATC's own Practical Nursing (LPN) graduates receive priority review before transfer-in ADN applicants are considered, provided they hold an active Kansas LPN license and meet all bridge packet requirements. The program is aligned with the Kansas Board of Regents curriculum under CIP 51.3801.

MATC's 74% graduation rate is one of the stronger completion figures among Kansas ADN programs and is the primary driver of its Hakia Score of 80.6. In-state tuition runs $6,480 per academic year (based on 24 credits at approved 2025-26 rates); total estimated program cost including fees and books is approximately $23,283 over the full program. An RN salary figure of $78,060 is cited by MATC from BLS OEWS data for Kansas; the national BLS median for registered nurses is $97,550 per year. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN, the same licensure exam taken by BSN graduates, and earn an identical RN credential. This program suits applicants who want a January entry option or who are already MATC PN graduates looking for the fastest bridge to RN status.

Salina Area Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing program is structured as an LPN-to-RN bridge: applicants must already hold an LPN credential and complete prerequisite coursework before admission. Once accepted, the program runs 9 months full-time, combining classroom instruction, simulation lab work, and hands-on clinical experiences. The curriculum is built around preparation for the NCLEX-RN and includes the Kansas Work Ready certification. Salina Tech received an ACEN accreditation site visit in fall 2025, and the program is aligned with the Kansas Board of Regents under CIP 51.3801. The program guide lists a total program cost of approximately $11,630 and an Associate of Applied Science degree upon completion.

The published student outcome data is the most transparent of any Kansas ADN program reviewed here. NCLEX-RN pass rates: 95.83% (2025), 91.3% (2024), 95.45% (2023). Completion rates: 84.62% (2025), 84.16% (2024), 88.46% (2023), 92.59% (2022). Job placement hit 100% in 2025. IPEDS in-state tuition is $5,760 per year, and the IPEDS graduation rate for Salina Tech overall is 68%, consistent with the completion rates the nursing program publishes. These outcomes underpin the Hakia Score of 80.6. Because this is an LPN-to-RN bridge only, applicants without an LPN license need to complete that credential first; the total timeline is longer than a direct-entry ADN but the 9-month RN phase is one of the shortest in the state. National BLS median salary for RNs is $97,550 per year.

Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas offers a two-year Associate Degree Nurse program that is structured to work in tandem with the college's own 10-month Practical Nurse program. Although the two are treated as separate programs, the PN curriculum functions as the first year of the ADN sequence, and graduates of PN programs from other states can receive equivalent credit after completing challenge exams. Admission to the ADN requires a prior PN program graduate credential; applicants also must demonstrate beginning-algebra proficiency (ACT or coursework) and pass the TEAS exam. Only one cohort of 30 students is admitted each year, starting in mid-August and completing in mid-May. Clinical rotations are a required, in-person component of the program. The ADN program holds ACEN continuing accreditation; the Kansas State Board of Nursing most recently granted Conditional Approval, which prospective students should verify directly with SCCC before applying.

At $2,496 per year for in-state students, SCCC offers the lowest tuition of any program in this Kansas ADN ranking. Out-of-state tuition is $3,264. The IPEDS institutional graduation rate is 50%, which is lower than the other programs ranked here and is the main factor behind a Hakia Score of 80.2. No NCLEX pass rate data was published on the program page at the time of review; prospective students should request current NCLEX outcomes directly from the nursing department. National BLS median pay for registered nurses is $97,550 per year. The combination of extremely low tuition and an LPN-first pathway makes SCCC a realistic option for students who want to minimize total cost and are willing to earn their PN credential on-site before advancing to RN.

Kansas City Kansas Community College is the largest institution in this ranking by enrollment (5,014 students) and sits in the Kansas City metro, giving graduates access to one of the region's largest hospital markets. KCKCC's ADN program page was unavailable at the time of data collection, so program-specific details such as cohort size, clinical rotation structure, and any LPN-to-RN advanced-placement track could not be independently verified from the program page. What is confirmed: KCKCC offers an associate degree in nursing under CIP 51.3801, the program is listed as on-campus (prelicensure ADN clinical work is inherently in-person), and graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates to earn an identical RN license. Prospective students should contact KCKCC admissions directly to confirm current cohort size, prerequisite requirements, and NCLEX outcome data.

In-state tuition is $2,674 per year, among the lowest in Kansas; out-of-state tuition rises to $5,810. The institutional graduation rate from IPEDS is 42%, which is the primary factor that places the Hakia Score at 79.6 — the lowest in this group. That figure reflects the full institution and may not mirror nursing-specific completion rates, which are often higher than an institution's aggregate. The Kansas City location is a genuine asset: the metro's large health systems provide a wide range of clinical placement options, and RNs who want to pursue a BSN later can access multiple online RN-to-BSN programs without relocating. National BLS median salary for RNs is $97,550 per year.

WSU Tech's Associate Degree Nurse program runs two years and pairs classroom instruction in Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Fundamentals of Nursing with clinical rotations in both inpatient and outpatient settings across the Wichita area. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN for the same registered nurse license issued to four-year BSN graduates. A dedicated LPN-to-ADN Bridge track offers licensed Kansas LPNs with active IV Therapy Certification a streamlined path into the program, requiring only prerequisite coursework completed at a B or better before entry.

In-state tuition runs $7,237 per year, one of the lowest price points among Kansas ADN programs. IPEDS reports a 43% graduation rate across the institution. No campus-specific NCLEX pass rate is published on the program page, so prospective students should ask the department directly. With a Hakia Score of 76.5, WSU Tech ranks ninth among Kansas ADN programs on this index, which weights affordability, completion, and institutional factors. The program is the right call for cost-conscious Wichita-area students and for working LPNs ready to advance to RN without starting over.

The median annual wage for registered nurses nationally is $97,550, a figure that applies equally to ADN and BSN graduates. Many hospital systems, particularly Magnet-designated facilities, prefer a BSN for advancement, so the common strategy is to earn the ADN at WSU Tech, work as an RN, and complete an online RN-to-BSN bridge while employed.

Rasmussen University's Professional Nursing ADN program is structured as a hybrid: online coursework combined with on-campus lab simulations and in-person clinical placements. The program can be completed in as few as 21 months across 102 credits covering Nursing Care of the Older Adult, Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing, Professional Nursing Skills, and Leadership and Professional Identity, among other courses. LPNs can advance through a separate LPN-to-RN Bridge track in as few as 18 months. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN for a full registered nurse license identical to that held by BSN graduates.

Tuition runs $14,116 per year, reflecting Rasmussen's private for-profit status. IPEDS shows a 45% institutional graduation rate. No campus-specific NCLEX pass rate is published on the program page; ask the Topeka campus directly. The program eliminates two common barriers: no prerequisite coursework is required for admission, and there are no waitlists at many campuses for qualified applicants. Eight annual start dates give working adults genuine scheduling flexibility. Rasmussen's Hakia Score of 75.8 places it tenth in Kansas on this index. It is best suited to applicants who need a fast, flexible start and cannot wait out the admission queues typical of community college programs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median wage of $97,550 for registered nurses, the same figure for ADN and BSN holders. Because Magnet-designated hospitals increasingly favor BSN candidates for leadership roles, the practical move is to use Rasmussen's ADN to enter the workforce quickly, then pursue an RN-to-BSN bridge online while earning an RN salary.