20 Best 2 Year Nursing Programs in St. Louis, MO in 2026
St. Louis is home to some of the top 2 year nursing programs in Missouri that provide quality education and training to prepare students for rewarding careers in the nursing field. Here is a comprehensive list of the 20 best 2 year nursing programs in St. Louis, MO in 2024 based on accreditation, affordability, program offerings and reputation.
1. Jefferson College Nursing Program
Jefferson College offers an accredited and affordable 2 year ADN program that prepares students for RN licensure and entry-level nursing practice.
- Accredited by ACEN with high NCLEX-RN pass rates consistently over 90%
- Hands-on clinical practice at partner healthcare facilities
- Small class sizes for personalized instruction
- Option to continue for online RN to BSN program
Tuition: $3,690 per semester for in-district students (Estimated total program cost is $15,000)
Visit Jefferson College‘s Website
2. Missouri Baptist University Nursing Program
Missouri Baptist University offers a faith-based 2 year associate degree program in nursing centered on compassionate patient care.
- Christian worldview focused on ethical and compassionate care
- ACEN accredited with strong NCLEX pass rates
- Clinical rotations arranged at highly ranked healthcare systems
- Seamless transition to Bachelor’s program
Tuition: $490 per credit hour (Estimated total program cost is $16,000)
Visit Missouri Baptist University‘s Website
3. Saint Louis University Nursing Program
Saint Louis University‘s 2 year associate nursing program combines compassion and innovation to prepare nurses grounded in evidence-based care.
- Renowned faculty providing rigorous curriculum
- Cutting-edge simulation labs and technologies
- Clinical placements at SSM Health hospitals
- Pipeline to continue at nationally ranked nursing Bachelor‘s program
Tuition: $920 per credit + Fees (Estimated total program cost is $25,000)
Visit Saint Louis University‘s Website
4. St. Charles Community College ADN Program
St. Charles Community College offers an affordable 2 year associate degree program with the option to upgrade seamlessly to a Bachelor‘s degree.
- ACEN accredited 2-year program open to licensed LPNs
- Partners with Barnes Jewish College‘s RN to BSN program
- Hands-on learning with simulation labs and hospital rotations
- Comprehensive support services for academic success
Tuition: $135 per credit hour in-district (Estimated total cost is $11,000)
Visit St. Charles Community College‘s Website
5. Lewis and Clark Nursing Program
Lewis and Clark offers an innovative Concept-based Associate Degree program focused on clinical reasoning and leadership.
- Concept-based curriculum focused on clinical leadership
- State-of-the-art simulation center
- Clinical rotations at SSM Health and Mercy Hospital networks
- Direct transfer to Bachelor‘s degree program
Tuition: $365 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $15,000)
Visit Lewis and Clark‘s Website
6. St. Louis Community College – Forest Park
Forest Park offers an affordable ADN program focused on evidence-based patient care and community health advocacy.
- Renowned for community health focus
- Partners with nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and community health centers for clinical experience
- Competency-based curriculum and simulation learning
- Seamless track to Bachelor‘s degree
Tuition: $106 per credit hour + fees for in-district students (Total estimated cost $9,500)
Visit St. Louis Community College‘s Website
7. East Central College ADN Program
East Central College offers a ACEN accredited 2 year nursing program focused on compassionate, patient-centered care.
- Curriculum developed in partnership with healthcare employers
- Hands-on clinical practice at area medical centers and hospitals
- Small class sizes and experienced nursing faculty
- NCLEX pass rates exceeding state and national averages
Tuition: $117 per credit hour in-district (Estimated total program cost $10,000)
8. Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
This faith-based 2 year program develops nurses grounded in ethics and compassionate care.
- Over 50 years of excellence in nursing education
- Clinical rotations at Barnes-Jewish hospital and clinics
- Seamless academic progression to BSN & MSN programs
- Wide array of scholarships and financial aid opportunities
Tuition: $715 per credit hour (Estimated total program cost $25,000)
Visit Barnes-Jewish College‘s Website
9. Ranken Technical College Nursing Program
Ranken Technical College offers an associate degree focused on data-driven nursing technologies and interventions.
- Heavy focus on latest medical technologies and informatics
- All nursing faculty have advanced clinical degrees
- Hands-on clinical simulations and hospital rotations
- NCLEX pass rates above state and national averages
Tuition: $510 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $20,000)
Visit Ranken Technical College‘s Website
10. St. Luke‘s College Nursing Program
St. Luke‘s College prepares nurses grounded in evidence-based practice and leadership principles.
- Concept-based curriculum focused on leadership development
- New simulation labs mirror hospital settings
- Clinical placements within SSM Health hospital network
- Direct pipeline to RN-BSN program
Tuition: $425 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $17,000)
Visit St. Luke‘s College Website
11. St. Louis Community College – Meramec
The Meramec campus of St. Louis Community College offers an ACEN accredited 2 year pathway to registered nursing.
- Extensive partnerships with over 100 healthcare employers
- Hands-on clinical rotations at hospitals and medical centers
- NCLEX pass rates above national average
- Seamless academic progression to Bachelor‘s degree
Tuition: $106 per credit hour + fees for in-district (Estimated total cost $9,500)
Visit St. Louis Community College‘s Website
12. Jefferson College – Arnold Location
Jefferson College‘s Arnold campus offers a convenient and affordable ADN program with competitive NCLEX pass rates.
- Convenient Arnold location near major highways
- Experienced, supportive teaching faculty
- Clinical rotations arranged at Mercy Hospital networks
- NCLEX pass rates above both state and national averages
Tuition: $135 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $11,000)
Visit Jefferson College‘s Website
13. Covenant School of Nursing
This faith-based diploma program develops nurses focused on ethical, compassionate caregiving grounded in Christian values.
- Based in Christian values of human dignity
- Renowned for graduate compassion and bedside manner
- Hands-on clinical work at SSM Health hospitals
- Direct pipeline to RN-BSN programs
Tuition: $400 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $16,000)
Visit Covenant School of Nursing‘s Website
14. St. Louis College of Nursing
St. Louis College of Nursing is one of the oldest nursing schools in the Midwest, preparing generations of skilled caregivers since 1928.
- Over 90 years specializing exclusively in nursing education
- Clinical placements arranged at area hospitals
- Small class sizes and rigorous teaching
- Options to continue academically or directly enter workforce
Tuition: $495 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $20,000)
Visit St. Louis College of Nursing‘s Website
15. Sanford-Brown College – Fenton
Sanford-Brown College offers an ACEN accredited Nursing program integrating hands-on clinical practice and classroom instruction.
- Practical focus on clinical skills and critical thinking
- Experiential learning through labs and hospital rotations
- Small classes providing individual attention
- Options to obtain BSN & MSN after graduation
Tuition: $473 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $18,000)
Visit Sanford-Brown College‘s Website
16. Missouri Tech
Missouri Tech offers an ADN program focused on developing skilled nurses equipped with the latest data-driven interventions.
- Heavy incorporation of healthcare technologies
- All nursing faculty hold Doctorate degrees
- Hands-on simulations and clinical placements
- Top-tier NCLEX pass rates
Tuition: $315 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $14,000)
17. West County Technical School
West County Tech offers an intensive 15-month program focused on rapidly developing skilled bedside caregivers able to enter the workforce quickly.
- Accelerated 15-month program pathway
- Clinical rotations arranged at Mercy Hospital network
- Extreme focus on practical nursing skills
- Top-ranked job placement rates among graduates
Tuition: $13,500 total (includes prerequisites, books and fees)
Visit West County Technical School‘s Website
18. Central Methodist University – College of Graduate & Continuing Studies
CMU offers evening and online nursing classes, ideal for current healthcare workers transitioning into professional nursing roles.
- Flexible class options in evenings and online
- Prior healthcare experience credits towards prerequisites
- Clinical rotations arranged at dozens of regional hospitals
- Seamless track to RN-BSN program
Tuition: $385 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $15,500)
Visit Central Methodist University‘s Website
19. Southwestern Illinois College Nursing
Southwestern Illinois College provides an ACEN accredited ADN pathway focused on evidence-based interventions and socially-conscious community care.
- Specialized tracks in geriatric and social justice
- Cutting-edge simulation lab replicating hospital rooms
- Extensive partnerships with area healthcare employers
- Pipeline into Bachelor‘s degree programs
Tuition: $115 per credit hour (Estimated total cost is $10,000)
Visit Southwestern Illinois College‘s Website
20. University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Nursing
UMSL‘s direct-entry program allows qualified students to enter the nursing program as incoming freshmen to expedite degree completion.
- Direct-entry program admits future nurses as incoming freshmen
- Cutting-edge simulation labs and advanced technologies
- Clinical experiences arranged on campus and with hospital partners
- Seamless track into Bachelor‘s and Master‘s degree programs
Tuition: $320 per credit hour (Estimated total cost $18,000)