Best RN Programs in Kansas for 2026

The University of Kansas School of Nursing offers three undergraduate pathways: an On-Campus BSN (available at Kansas City and Salina campuses), an RN-to-BSN program, and a Community College Nursing Partnership (CCNP). The On-Campus BSN is an upper-division entry requiring 60 credit hours of prerequisites with a minimum 2.75 GPA before admission to nursing coursework. The program integrates nursing science with liberal arts preparation across the full patient lifespan, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Admission is competitive, with priority application windows in fall and spring for the Kansas City campus and fall only for Salina.

KU earns a Hakia Score of 80.3, the highest among Kansas BSN programs in this ranking. In-state tuition runs $10,968 per year; out-of-state students pay $29,298, a meaningful gap worth factoring into total cost. The university-wide graduation rate sits at 69% and the institution admits 93% of applicants, making it broadly accessible while still selecting nursing candidates on GPA, references, and healthcare experience. With 29,792 enrolled students and clinical sites anchored to the KU Medical Center, the program suits students who want a research-university environment with multiple campus options. BLS OEWS data puts the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

Students on the CCNP track can complete prerequisites at a community college before transitioning into the KU nursing curriculum, which broadens access for those who want to control early costs. Pre-nursing advising is available on both the Lawrence campus and KUMC, and the program explicitly prepares graduates for master's and doctoral study in addition to entry-level RN practice.

Washburn University's School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing that the program page describes as CCNE-accredited (accreditation verified through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). The degree follows a four-year structure: two years of general education and prerequisites (30 hours minimum, 2.7 GPA required), then two years of full-time nursing coursework. Clinical areas highlighted on the program page include obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency, community, and primary care, with simulation training through the Regional Simulation Center using high-fidelity mannequins. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. An RN-to-BSN pathway is also available.

Washburn posts a Hakia Score of 77.8 and charges $9,828 in-state tuition, the lowest of the four programs ranked here. Out-of-state tuition is $20,832, but the school explicitly offers tuition waiver programs that may qualify out-of-state students for in-state rates. The university-wide graduation rate is 53%, notably lower than KU, which reflects a broader open-access mission across a student body of 6,033. The program page claims a 100% placement rate for graduates, though this figure is self-reported. At roughly $10K per year in-state, Washburn represents the most affordable traditional BSN path in this Kansas ranking for state residents.

The application process requires a projection sheet, written interview, and two letters of reference once prerequisites are complete. Scholarships are available through both the university and the School of Nursing based on academic achievement and financial need. The small campus size (under 6,100 students) means nursing students get direct faculty access, which the program emphasizes as a deliberate feature.

Pittsburg State University offers a Pre-Licensure BSN as the primary undergraduate nursing pathway, designed for students without an existing ADN or RN license who want to earn both their RN licensure eligibility and a BSN in one program. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN in any state. The program page notes CCNE accreditation and also cites Higher Learning Commission accreditation for the institution. A simulation hospital on campus provides hands-on clinical training in a controlled setting before students enter real healthcare environments. The program also publishes a Guaranteed Nursing Pathway document for prospective students.

Pittsburg State earns a Hakia Score of 75.4. In-state tuition is $6,342 per year, the lowest sticker price in this group, and the school extends in-state tuition rates to students from 32 states under its Gorilla Advantage program, which significantly expands who can afford to enroll. Out-of-state tuition without the waiver is $17,686. The university admits 89% of applicants and carries a 57% graduation rate institution-wide. The program itself reports a 97.6% retention rate and 2.34% attrition rate over a three-year period, a figure it highlights as evidence of program-level student support even if the university-wide completion rate is more moderate.

With an enrollment of 5,755, PSU offers a mid-size campus feel with a close-knit nursing student community the program describes as collaborative. The program suits cost-conscious students from Kansas or the 32 eligible states who want strong clinical simulation resources without flagship-university tuition. BLS data shows the national registered nurse median at $97,550 per year, independent of which school issues the degree.

Benedictine College School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing grounded in what the program describes as a community of faith and scholarship. The program explicitly identifies as pro-life and frames nursing education around ethical, person-centered, and holistic care. It is a traditional pre-licensure BSN preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The program director is Jackie Harris, DNP, APRN-NP, and the school emphasizes small class sizes across classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical settings as a core differentiator. The program page does not describe accelerated or RN-to-BSN tracks.

Benedictine earns a Hakia Score of 72.5. Tuition is $35,350 regardless of residency, since this is a private institution with no in-state/out-of-state split. That is roughly 3.5 times Pittsburg State's in-state rate and more than three times KU's, making it the most expensive option in this group. The graduation rate is 62%, which is mid-range among these four programs, and the admit rate is 98%, making it the most accessible by selectivity. Enrollment is 2,535, roughly one-tenth the size of KU, which translates directly to the individualized faculty attention the program highlights. The tradeoff is straightforward: higher cost, smaller cohort, stronger faith-mission identity.

Benedictine suits students for whom the Catholic liberal arts environment and values-aligned nursing formation are priorities and who are willing to pay private-school tuition to access that environment. Students who prioritize cost should compare the $35,350 annual figure against Washburn ($9,828 in-state) or Pittsburg State ($6,342 in-state) before committing. The national RN median of $97,550 is the same regardless of which accredited program issues the degree.

MidAmerica Nazarene University offers a traditional BSN delivered entirely on-site at its Olathe campus. The program runs 60-63 credit hours within a 120-credit-hour total degree and is built around a faith-integrated nursing mission, preparing students as servant leaders. MNU states its School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited. Clinical training is supported through academic partnerships with regional hospitals. The school reports that Niche ranked it the top nursing school in Kansas and the Kansas City metro area in its 2026 rankings, though that reflects Niche's own methodology.

The numbers tell a mixed story. MNU posts a 54% graduation rate and an admissions rate of 79%, making it moderately selective among private BSN programs. Tuition is a flat $36,174 regardless of residency, which is the primary tradeoff: the faith-based environment and small-campus focus come at a private-school price. The school notes that nearly 100% of new students qualify for some form of financial assistance. At a Hakia Score of 70.8, MNU ranks 5th among Kansas BSN programs in this analysis. It fits students who want on-campus cohort learning and hospital partnerships in the KC area and are prepared to navigate private-school tuition and aid packages.

Admission requires direct application to MNU with all official college transcripts and a nursing questionnaire. The program is currently enrolling.

Wichita State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is available through two on-campus tracks: a traditional BSN for current undergraduates and a Guaranteed Placement track for high school seniors, both delivered at the Wichita campus. The program is run through the Ascension Via Christi - Wichita State University School of Nursing. Students complete over 1,000 hours of clinical experience across lab, simulation, and real healthcare settings, capped by a dedicated 5-week capstone rotation alongside an RN before graduation. The program page states students have consistently passed the RN licensing exam above the national average, though a specific pass rate figure is not published on the page.

WSU's cost advantage is the headline number: $7,529 in-state tuition versus $17,714 out-of-state. Admission to the university is broad at a 94% admit rate, but nursing program entry carries separate academic requirements including a minimum 2.75 overall GPA, a 3.00 GPA in four required science courses, and completion of most prerequisites before the semester begins. The program's 51% graduation rate and the competitive internal selection process mean applicants should plan their prerequisites carefully. WSU's Hakia Score of 70.7 places it 6th in Kansas. The combination of public-university price and structured clinical volume makes it a strong fit for Kansas residents who can meet the science GPA threshold.

Kansas Wesleyan University offers a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nursing at its Salina campus. The program is built around a partnership with Salina Regional Health Center, a Trauma III critical care facility, giving students access to clinical placements at a working acute-care hospital. KWU emphasizes small class sizes and individualized faculty attention as structural features of the program. The page reports a 100% NCLEX annual pass rate for 2023-2025 and a 100% employment rate since 2018. The program is CCNE-accredited. KWU also offers several scholarship pathways specific to nursing students, including Salina Regional Health Center awards worth up to $10,000 per year with a service commitment.

KWU is the most selective program in this group at a 72% admit rate and enrolls just over 1,000 students total, keeping cohorts small. Tuition is $33,730 flat regardless of residency. The 49% graduation rate is the lowest in this set, which prospective students should weigh against the strong licensure and employment figures the program reports. A Hakia Score of 70.6 places it 7th in Kansas. KWU fits students who prioritize direct clinical access at a regional hospital and faculty mentorship in a small-college setting, and who have a plan for managing private-school tuition.

Fort Hays State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 120-credit-hour program offered via an on-campus pre-licensure pathway. The page also lists a hybrid pathway for students who have prior college experience or associate-level health credentials. FHSU explicitly welcomes students coming directly from high school, those transferring with an associate degree, and healthcare workers seeking a path to RN licensure. The program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and CCNE-accredited. Clinical rotations are integrated across four semesters and include obstetrics, pediatrics, critical care, med/surg, community, and psychiatric nursing. A fourth-semester rural healthcare internship is built into the curriculum, with an optional summer internship available for additional specialty exposure.

Cost is FHSU's clearest advantage: $4,704 in-state tuition, the lowest of any program in this Kansas ranking. Out-of-state tuition is $16,522. The program reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024. The university admits 90% of applicants, and FHSU's total enrollment of nearly 13,000 supports a wide support infrastructure including a state-of-the-art simulation center with high-fidelity mannequins and hospital-grade equipment. The 48% graduation rate is a factor to consider, and prospective students should discuss completion pathways with an advisor. A Hakia Score of 70.4 places FHSU 8th in Kansas. It is the most accessible and affordable option for in-state students and healthcare workers who need a flexible entry point into BSN-level practice.

Emporia State University offers a traditional BSN requiring 128 credit hours (60 nursing, 68 non-nursing) on its Emporia campus. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and trains students through a simulation center, an 11-bed skills lab, and clinical partnerships ranging from local hospitals to the Mayo Clinic. A new 32,000-square-foot Nursing and Student Wellness Center is under construction to house expanded simulation rooms covering medical-surgical, emergency, labor and delivery, and pediatric settings.

ESU's three-year NCLEX-RN pass rate average sits at 93%, above the reported national average of 88.57%. The program has a 98% admit rate, making it broadly accessible, and charges $5,542 in-state tuition versus $13,855 out-of-state. The graduation rate is 56%. That combination of open access and sub-$6,000 in-state cost makes ESU a strong value path for Kansas residents who want an accredited BSN with hands-on clinical exposure. The program earned a Hakia Score of 69.4 among Kansas BSN programs.

Small class sizes are a consistent program emphasis, which supports clinical supervision. Students have participated in community health initiatives including vaccine clinics, and externship connections give undergraduates access to high-acuity environments before graduation. Registered nurses earn a national median wage of $97,550, providing context for the return on ESU's low in-state cost.

Baker University's BSN is a two-phase program: students complete 62 prerequisite hours at Baker's College of Arts and Sciences in Baldwin City, then move to the School of Nursing at Stormont Vail Health's campus in Topeka for 62 additional nursing credit hours. Stormont Vail holds Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The structure gives students two years of traditional campus life before a concentrated clinical immersion at an active hospital site.

Baker reports that over 90% of its BSN students pass the NCLEX on the first attempt, and the school states that 95% of licensed graduates staying in Kansas are employed within three months. Tuition is $34,550 regardless of residency, reflecting Baker's private nonprofit status. The admit rate is 94% and the graduation rate is 58%. For students who value hospital-embedded clinical training and are comfortable with private-school tuition, Baker's model is worth the premium; those prioritizing cost should weigh this directly against ESU's $5,542 in-state rate. Baker earned a Hakia Score of 68.7.

Technology in the program includes high-fidelity patient simulators that mimic conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, allowing students to practice clinical decision-making before entering live patient care. A service-learning component sends students and faculty to Kenya annually to support a medical mission, adding an international dimension to the curriculum. The program is recognized by Colleges of Distinction as a top nursing school in Kansas, per Baker's own reporting. Registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 annually.