University of Central Missouri Nursing: BSN & MSN Pathways, Costs & Requirements (2026)
UCM’s School of Nursing runs pre-licensure BSN cohorts in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit, a fully online RN-to-BSN completion option, and CCNE-accredited MSN tracks (Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator) plus post-master’s certificates. This guide pairs official 2025–26 tuition disclosures with first-time NCLEX-RN statistics from Missouri Board of Nursing NCSBN Report 4.
*First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for University of Central Missouri—Warrensburg BS (US17507300): 84.72% (61 of 72 first-time testers) across 2025 testing windows through September 30, 2025, per Missouri Board of Nursing NCSBN Report 4 (report dated October 9, 2025). **Fall 2025–Summer 2026 undergraduate per-credit tuition from UCM Tuition & Costs; mandatory and program fees are extra. Later board quarters will update totals.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Warrensburg anchors Johnson County while Lee’s Summit and the Kansas City corridor give UCM nursing students a deliberate mix of community hospitals and metro tertiary centers. CCNE-accredited programming, faculty who remain practicing clinicians, and simulation-heavy skills labs are the through-line from the first BSN clinical to the MSN residencies in Lee’s Summit.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Central Missouri Nursing
The University of Central Missouri is a regional public university whose School of Nursing advertises long-running CCNE recognition, undergraduate delivery on both the Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit campuses, and graduate FNP instruction that blends online coursework with in-person intensives in Lee’s Summit. Marketing emphasizes affordable pathways—especially the online RN-to-BSN completion option—and deliberate clinical partnerships stretching toward Kansas City.
Pre-licensure students compete for seats after completing a defined prerequisite science sequence, while licensed RNs can stack credentials through the fully online RN-BSN. Graduate students choose between an MSN aimed at primary care (FNP) or academic/clinical education (Nurse Educator), with post-master’s certificates available in parallel specialties.
Missouri’s Board of Nursing publishes NCSBN Report 4 PDFs that list each approved program’s first-time NCLEX-RN testers by quarter. Always download the newest RN Report 4 from the board and compare it with any school marketing snapshots, which may reference different cohort years.
Reasons students choose the UCM School of Nursing
Public tuition transparency
UCM posts Board-of-Governors-approved per-credit rates for Fall 2025 through Summer 2026 plus composite “yearly costs before aid” illustrations, which helps families benchmark nursing study against other Missouri publics.
Dual-site pre-licensure access
Undergraduate materials describe in-person pre-licensure instruction in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit, letting students pick the campus context that fits housing and clinical commuting needs.
FNP hybrid near Kansas City
The MSN FNP track combines online classes with on-campus requirements in Lee’s Summit, positioning practicum planning around Missouri and the greater Kansas City area per graduate admission rules.
100% online RN-to-BSN
Working RNs can complete the RN-BS option fully online in eight-week sessions; marketing highlights no additional out-of-state tuition differential for that program.
Simulation-forward skills labs
Program pages highlight high-fidelity manikins, faculty-supervised skills labs, and partnerships with Children’s Mercy and other Kansas City–area employers for advanced clinical experiences.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list reflects the undergraduate pre-licensure page, RN-to-BSN page, MSN program page, and graduate certificate links on ucmo.edu as of this review. UCM does not publicly market a standalone Doctor of Nursing Practice on these entry pages—prospective doctoral students should confirm whether other units offer nursing doctorates before assuming availability.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing — Generic (pre-licensure) option
In-person BSN with theory, skills lab, and clinical progression; offered on Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit campuses with competitive admission after prerequisites, speech/hearing screening, and the School’s designated entrance exam.
RN to BS Nursing option
100% online completion pathway for licensed RNs who already hold an associate degree in nursing; eight-week sessions and community-focused practicum projects replace traditional bedside clinical hours.
MS Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner
Hybrid track pairing online courses with on-campus meetings in Lee’s Summit; admission requires an active RN license, Missouri or Kansas residency, at least one year of RN experience unless an exception is granted, and practicum completion in Missouri or the greater Kansas City area.
MS Nursing — Nurse Educator
Fully online emphasis culminating in a teaching project aimed at academic or professional development settings; admission is space-available rolling per School policy.
Nurse Educator Post-Master’s Certificate
Certificate route for master’s-prepared nurses seeking educator preparation aligned with UCM’s graduate nursing offerings.
Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Certificate for master’s-prepared nurses adding FNP scope consistent with Missouri institutional policies.
The School of Nursing states that its baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are accredited by CCNE and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Confirm current status through CCNE’s directory, the Board’s approved program list, and UCM consumer information pages.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Missouri Board of Nursing’s published NCSBN Report 4 – Jurisdiction Program Summary (2025 Quarter 3 file dated October 9, 2025), the aggregated first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the University of Central Missouri—Warrensburg BS program (NCSBN program code US17507300) was 84.72% (61 of 72 first-time candidates tested in the 2025 reporting windows through September 30, 2025).
For context, the same PDF shows a 85.29% pass rate in the April–June 2025 window (29 of 34 testers) and a 75.00% pass rate in the July–September 2025 window (3 of 4 testers); quarterly counts can swing with small cohorts.
UCM’s pre-licensure marketing page elsewhere cites a 97.6% NCLEX pass rate for 2020 graduates—much older than the board’s 2025 YTD table. When marketing snapshots and board spreadsheets differ, prioritize the Missouri Board PDF and ask the School which academic year each marketing figure represents.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (Warrensburg BS) | 84.72% (61/72 first-time testers, 2025 windows through 09/30/2025) |
| Program code (NCSBN/MO BON table) | US17507300 — MO – UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI – BS (Warrensburg) |
| Source | Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX Statistics · 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (PDF). Download newer Report 4 files as quarters post. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and testing window. Always confirm the latest program-level tables with the Missouri Board of Nursing and the School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International and foreign-educated applicants face extra layers involving English proficiency, credential review, Missouri RN licensure, and visa suitability for clinical courses. UCM’s graduate nursing policies explicitly reference TOEFL 500 minimums for some international applicants and CGFNS testing for foreign-educated nurses seeking Missouri RN licensure prior to MSN matriculation—confirm current wording with the Graduate School.
- English-language proficiency: Compare TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo expectations from UCM International Affairs with any higher college-specific nursing thresholds.
- Credential evaluation & CGFNS: Follow Missouri Board and UCM graduate nursing instructions for CGFNS or other reviews before assuming NCLEX or MSN eligibility.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: Licensure by examination or endorsement rules, citizenship documentation, and NCLEX approvals change—use the Board’s licensing section for primary guidance.
- Immigration & clinical compliance: Hybrid FNP weekends in Lee’s Summit and background-check requirements may affect visa planning; coordinate early with International Programs and the clinical compliance office.
This section is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify every requirement with University of Central Missouri offices and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
University admission and School of Nursing admission are separate gates. Pre-licensure students must finish all nursing prerequisites (including specified biology, chemistry, nutrition, and early nursing foundation courses) before the School’s Admission and Progression Committee reviews applications. Nursing seats are competitive; the policy explicitly reserves the right to adjust criteria.
Tip: Students who complete all nursing prerequisites at UCM receive a separate consideration bucket from transfer applicants; plan transcript timelines so everything posts before the December 31 / June 30 deadlines.
Pre-licensure BSN application timeline
| Entry Term | Key deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall nursing cohort | January 1 nursing application due | Official transcripts from other colleges must reach Undergraduate Admissions by December 31; decisions described as March for fall admission. |
| Spring nursing cohort | July 1 nursing application due | Transcripts due June 30; decisions described as October for spring admission. |
| Fees & documents | $30 nursing application fee | Speech/hearing screening (Martin 34) and designated entrance exam scores must be on file with the School per published instructions. |
Direct admission (freshmen)
UCM markets a direct-admission nursing track for first-year students who meet ACT ≥ 24, high school GPA ≥ 3.00, maintain 3.50 cumulative GPA at UCM at review time, achieve a mastery-level score on the entrance exam, and complete prerequisites successfully on the first attempt. The policy caps direct admission at 40 students per semester.
Graduate (MSN) deadlines
FNP applicants must submit materials by September 15 for spring starts and February 15 for summer/fall starts. Nurse Educator applications are reviewed rolling/space-available. Alumni of UCM’s undergraduate nursing program receive preference in FNP admission review.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing major) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum cumulative GPA (pre-licensure) | 2.75 at application (plus C or higher in prerequisites) |
| Entrance examination | Designated nursing admission exam through Office of Testing Services (confirm current exam name) |
| MSN baseline | RN licensure, BSN from CCNE/NLN-accredited program, ≥3.00 undergraduate GPA; FNP requires ≥1 year RN experience unless an exception is approved |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
University of Central Missouri publishes Board-approved per-credit rates for Fall 2025 through Summer 2026 plus illustrative yearly budgets. Nursing majors should layer in any course or program fees (e.g., clinical compliance, testing, technology) listed in the course-fee PDFs—not every charge is embedded in the base tuition rate table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (Fall 2025–Summer 2026) | $297.00 per credit (Missouri resident) · $594.00 per credit (non-resident)—rates exclude mandatory, technology, testing, program, or course fees noted on the Tuition & Costs page. |
| Illustrative 30-credit undergrad year budget (“You Invest”) | About $22,650 for Missouri residents and $31,560 for non-residents including listed tuition & general fees, textbook allowance, double-room housing, and meal plan assumptions on UCM’s Tuition & Costs page. |
| Lee’s Summit / online undergraduate rate | Tuition & Costs lists Lee’s Summit and online/hybrid undergraduate credits at $297.00 for Missouri residents—confirm how RN-to-BSN billing maps to these categories. |
| Graduate nursing (planning figure) | The MSN overview cites an estimated $21,850 total for 44 graduate credits—verify current credit-hour rates ($445 online/hybrid for graduates on the tuition page) before budgeting. |
| RN-to-BSN marketing note | The RN-to-BSN page states no out-of-state tuition fee for that online program; confirm how general university fees still apply. |
| Source | UCM Tuition & Costs · 2025–2026 BOG tuition & fee book (PDF) · Course/program fees PDF |
Departmental scholarships named on the pre-licensure page include the Beverly Wilson Nursing Scholarship, Carol Crandal Young Memorial Scholarship in Nursing, Clinton Family Memorial & Legacy Scholarship—Nursing, and the Department of Nursing Scholarship Fund. Use UCM Scholarship Finder for deadlines.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair regulator-published NCLEX data with the career narratives UCM publishes for prospective students. Because marketing pages can lag behind the newest board spreadsheets, treat any employment claim as school-reported until you see the definition and survey year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (Warrensburg BS) | 84.72% first-time, 61/72 testers, 2025 Missouri Board reporting windows through 09/30/2025 (NCSBN Report 4, Oct. 9, 2025) |
| Historical NCLEX marketing (school site) | Pre-licensure page cites 97.6% NCLEX success for 2020 in-person/online BSN graduates—much older than the 2025 board YTD row. |
| Job placement (school marketing) | School of Nursing homepage states a 100% program job placement rate—confirm cohort years, response rates, and whether the figure includes only nursing positions. |
| MSN certification marketing | Graduate page advertises 100% AANP and ANCC pass rates—ask the graduate office for the reporting period and candidate denominator. |
Is University of Central Missouri the Right Fit for You?
UCM fits students seeking a Missouri public university with multiple nursing entry points—traditional pre-licensure, flexible online RN-to-BSN, and MSN tracks aimed at practice (FNP) or teaching (Nurse Educator). Expect competitive progression policies: failing grades in nursing coursework trigger suspension until a formal retention process is completed.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want Kansas City–area clinical exposure while paying Missouri resident tuition rates (when eligible) and can commute to Warrensburg or Lee’s Summit.
- Prefer transparent per-credit tuition tables and scholarship pools dedicated to nursing majors.
- Value CCNE-accredited pathways that stop at the MSN for advanced practice or education without requiring a DNP.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed nursing admission without meeting competitive GPA, exam, and prerequisite standards.
- Expect a DNP or PhD nursing option explicitly housed in the School of Nursing based solely on its homepage listings.
- Cannot document Missouri/Kansas residency or clinical placement availability required for the FNP hybrid track.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Warrensburg sits along U.S. 50 between Kansas City and Sedalia, giving UCM nursing students access to community hospitals in Johnson County plus the depth of the Kansas City metro roughly an hour away. UCM marketing lists employers such as North Kansas City Hospital, St. Luke’s, The University of Kansas Hospital, HCA facilities, and Children’s Mercy—use these examples when picturing advanced rotations, but rely on the clinical placement office for your assigned sites.
| Facility / Region | Details |
|---|---|
| Western Missouri Medical Center | Warrensburg-based acute care hospital serving Johnson County—anchor for many community experiences near campus. |
| Bothwell Regional Health Center | Sedalia-based regional referral center east of Warrensburg—example of broader mid-Missouri rural health exposure. |
| Kansas City metro partners | Systems named by UCM (Children’s Mercy, St. Luke’s, North Kansas City Hospital, KU Hospital, HCA) illustrate tertiary options within driving distance. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate nursing offices reference Dockery Building Room 203 in Warrensburg alongside Lee’s Summit’s MIC site for advising. Skills and simulation labs emphasize lifelike manikins, deliberate faculty supervision, and interprofessional thinking. The School sponsors a Student Nurse Organization and maintains a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau for students who meet honor-society criteria. RN-to-BSN students participate remotely but may return for pinning and commencement celebrations each May and December.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary campus
- Warrensburg, MO
- Satellite nursing site
- Lee’s Summit, MO (MIC)
- Undergraduate nursing
- Dockery 203 / Lee’s Summit MIC C250 · 660-543-6600 · nursing@ucmo.edu
- Graduate nursing
- Lee’s Summit Office C250 · 660-543-6600 · msnursing@ucmo.edu
- Office of Testing Services
- Humphreys 216 · 660-543-4919 (entrance exam scheduling)
- Website
- UCM School of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the latest Missouri Board RN Report 4 PDF for UCM (code US17507300) and note how quarterly tester counts move pass rates.
- Print the nursing prerequisite grid (CHEM 1104, BIOL 3401/3402/3610, PSY 1100, SOC 1800, NUTR 3340, NUR 1700/2200/2710/3200) and mark what you still need.
- Schedule the speech & hearing screening and the School’s entrance exam through the contacts listed on the pre-licensure page.
- Build a budget using UCM’s per-credit tuition plus the course/program fee PDF—not just the base rate.
- RN-to-BSN applicants should read the academic requirements page and confirm how “no out-of-state tuition” interacts with your state of residence.
- FNP applicants should verify Missouri/Kansas RN licensure, one-year experience expectations, and February 15 / September 15 deadlines.
- Email nursing@ucmo.edu with scenario-specific questions (transfer credit, direct admission, clinical compliance).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University of Central Missouri pre-licensure BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in Missouri Board data?
According to Missouri Board NCSBN Report 4 (2025 Q3 PDF, Oct. 9, 2025), UCM’s Warrensburg BS program (US17507300) posted an 84.72% first-time rate (61/72 testers) for windows through September 30, 2025. Pull newer Report 4 files from pr.mo.gov as quarters update.
Does University of Central Missouri require TEAS for its nursing program?
Public materials refer to a designated nursing admission exam coordinated with Testing Services rather than naming TEAS explicitly. Confirm the current exam, minimums, and retakes before you register.
What GPA does University of Central Missouri nursing expect?
Pre-licensure applicants need at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA at application and a C or better in prerequisites. Direct-admit freshmen must hold a 3.50 cumulative GPA at UCM when reviewed, among other criteria.
When are nursing application deadlines at UCM?
January 1 for fall nursing cohorts and July 1 for spring cohorts, with transcripts due December 31 or June 30 respectively.
How much is University of Central Missouri undergraduate tuition in 2025–26?
The Tuition & Costs page lists $297.00 per credit for Missouri residents and $594.00 for non-residents (Fall 2025–Summer 2026) before mandatory and course-specific fees.
Are there extra out-of-state charges for UCM’s online RN-to-BSN?
The RN-to-BSN page says no out-of-state tuition fee applies to that program—still confirm general fees and course fees on the official cost materials.
What MSN options does University of Central Missouri offer?
UCM lists MSN tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner (hybrid, Lee’s Summit) and Nurse Educator (online), plus post-master’s certificates in those specialty areas.
Which hospitals does University of Central Missouri mention for clinicals or jobs?
Marketing examples include North Kansas City Hospital, St. Luke’s, KU Hospital, HCA, and Children’s Mercy—ask schedules for your assigned rotations.
Is University of Central Missouri nursing CCNE-accredited?
The School states CCNE accreditation for bachelor’s and master’s nursing degrees and notes continuous CCNE recognition since 1978 on its homepage. Verify with CCNE’s directory.
What English tests do UCM graduate nursing pages reference?
Graduate policies list a minimum TOEFL score of 500 for some international applicants and CGFNS steps for foreign-educated nurses pursuing Missouri RN licensure before MSN admission—confirm current wording with the Graduate School.
References
- University of Central Missouri — School of NursingSchool of Nursing home page
- Pre-licensure BSN (Generic option)Nursing BSN — Generic option
- RN-to-BSN (BS) optionOnline RN to BSN
- Master of Science in NursingMSN (FNP & Nurse Educator)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)CCNE accreditation information
- National Council of State Boards of Nursingncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered NursesOccupational outlook for RNs
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, with emphasis on Missouri Board NCSBN Report 4 figures for program code US17507300, UCM’s Fall 2025–Summer 2026 tuition disclosure, and School of Nursing admission terminology for the entrance examination.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-27 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy