Missouri State University School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Springfield-based BSN (including an accelerated second-degree track), online RN-to-BSN completion, MSN, DNP, and graduate nursing certificates housed in the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center. This guide highlights board-published NCLEX outcomes for the Springfield BSN, official BSN cost estimates, and competitive NursingCAS timelines.
*First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Missouri State University–Springfield BSN (US17505000) across 2025 testing windows through September 30, 2025, per Missouri Board of Nursing NCSBN Report 4 (published October 9, 2025). Later quarters will update totals.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Nursing at Missouri State centers on the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center in Springfield—home to high-fidelity simulation, interprofessional neighbors such as PA and anesthesia programs, and an NCLEX pathway that Missouri’s board data shows clearing above 90% first-time pass rates for recent Springfield BSN cohort reporting windows.
Overview & Why Students Choose Missouri State University School of Nursing
Missouri State’s School of Nursing sits in Springfield—the hub of the Ozarks health care market—inside the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center alongside other professional health programs. The school’s public mission, CCNE-accredited stack of BSN through DNP offerings, and access to regional hospitals give students a full spectrum of pathways from first RN license to advanced practice or education-focused master’s work.
Pre-licensure students apply through NursingCAS after university admission, while working RNs can complete the online BSN-C. Graduate pages highlight flexible MSN and DNP designs meant for nurses who plan to keep working, including hybrid BSN-to-DNP tracks and an online post-master’s DNP.
Official Missouri Board of Nursing quarterly NCSBN reports list Springfield’s pre-licensure BSN separately from the West Plains ADN. Use the board’s NCLEX statistics download page for the newest Report 4 PDF; confirm cohort-level interpretation with the School of Nursing.
Reasons students choose Missouri State University School of Nursing
Board-visible NCLEX performance
In the Missouri Board’s 2025 NCSBN Report 4 (data through September 30, 2025), the Springfield BSN program (US17505000) recorded a 93.00% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across 100 first-time testers reported for that program code.
Modern simulation & interprofessional campus
Facilities materials emphasize the simulation center inside O’Reilly—high-fidelity manikins, video debriefing, and interprofessional neighbors such as physician assistant and nurse anesthesia students.
Stackable graduate portfolio
MSN tracks span acute care, primary care (FNP), education, and psychiatric mental health; post-master’s certificates mirror those specialties; the DNP offers BSN-entry hybrid or master’s-entry online completion paths per program marketing.
Transparent BSN cost planner
The School publishes semester-by-semester tuition, fee, and supplemental nursing charge assumptions for four-year and transfer BSN tracks, including NursingCAS and ATI learning-system line items.
Clinical-rich region
Springfield anchors southwest Missouri referrals; major systems such as CoxHealth and Mercy provide level I trauma, stroke, and comprehensive specialty services that feed student rotations.
Nursing Programs Offered
The listings below mirror the undergraduate overview, graduate overview, DNP, and certificates pages on missouristate.edu/Nursing. Missouri State University–West Plains operates a separate associate (ADN) program with its own NCLEX reporting code—prospective ADN students should use West Plains nursing materials.
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Four-year, Springfield-based pre-licensure major with competitive NursingCAS admission after prerequisite completion; fall or spring cohort starts.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for second-degree students
Described for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field (about 15 months); fall-only start with a February–April NursingCAS window per admission requirements.
RN to BSN completion (BSN-C)
Fully online BSN completion for currently licensed RNs; marketed as flexible for employed nurses.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Options include adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner (seated and online courses), nurse educator (online), psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, plus an accelerated path to begin master’s coursework while finishing the BSN.
Post-master’s certificates
Shorter graduate certificates aligned with adult acute care, family practice, nurse educator, and psychiatric mental health roles as presented on the school homepage.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN-to-DNP hybrid tracks with adult-gerontology, family, nursing education, and psychiatric mental health emphases; post-master’s DNP described as 100% online.
The School of Nursing states that its BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate programs are accredited by CCNE. Always confirm current accreditation and state approval on the CCNE directory and the Missouri Board of Nursing school list.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Missouri Board of Nursing’s published NCSBN Report 4 – Jurisdiction Program Summary for Missouri programs (2025 Quarter 3 file dated October 9, 2025), the most recent aggregated first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Missouri State University—Springfield BSN (NCSBN program code US17505000) was 93.00% (93 of 100 first-time candidates tested in the 2025 reporting windows through September 30, 2025).
Separately, Missouri State’s undergraduate marketing page cites a 96% first-time pass figure for BSN students; when Missouri Board PDFs and marketing copy differ, prioritize the board tables and confirm which cohort year each number represents.
The West Plains ADN program uses a different code (US17400000) and is not summarized here.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (Springfield BSN) | 93.00% (93/100 first-time testers, 2025 windows through 09/30/2025) |
| Program code (NCSBN/MO BON table) | US17505000 — MO – MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY – SPRINGFIELD – BS |
| Source | Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX Statistics (download the latest RN “Report 4” PDF, e.g., 2025 Quarter 3). Confirm newer quarters as they 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
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Missouri State University School of Nursing and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Missouri State University School of Nursing’s international office and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Missouri State admits first to the university, then to nursing through a competitive NursingCAS cycle. The roadmap describes holistic scoring (cumulative GPA, structured resume, asynchronous interview for the top portion of applicants) rather than test-score-only screening.
Tip: Use only the downloadable resume template—substituting another format makes the application ineligible. Transcripts go to MSU Admissions, not NursingCAS.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Application window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall — traditional 4-year BSN | December 1 – February 1 (10:59 p.m. CT deadline) | Apply in NursingCAS after MSU acceptance the year before you intend to enter upper-division nursing courses. |
| Spring — traditional 4-year BSN | July 1 – September 1 (10:59 p.m. CT deadline) | Recommended MSU application by May 1 if transferring so transcripts arrive in time. |
| Fall — Accelerated BSN (second degree) | February 1 – April 1 | Fall-only accelerated cohort per admission requirements page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing major) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum cumulative GPA (pre-licensure BSN) | 3.0 at admission per application roadmap (used for scoring) |
| TEAS / HESI | TEAS requirement suspended spring 2025 for the four-year pre-licensure BSN; verify whether other pathways still require an exam. |
| Interview | Virtual asynchronous interview offered to top ~75% of the applicant pool after scoring. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Missouri State’s School of Nursing publishes planning estimates only. Figures below come from the “Estimated Costs” page effective spring 2025 and exclude lifestyle, optional housing, or insurance choices unless listed.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Four-year BSN — tuition & university fees (all nursing courses at MSU) | In-state planning total $48,101; out-of-state $89,388 (includes NursingCAS fee, student service fees, and $75/credit supplemental nursing course fees per the table). |
| Four-year BSN — other program costs (ATI/books, uniforms, clinical requirements, NCLEX application, etc.) | Estimated $5,703.18 – $6,203.18 band per the same page. |
| Combined planning band (tuition + other listed expenses) | $53,804.18 – $54,304.18 in-state; $95,091.18 – $95,591.18 out-of-state. |
| Transfer BSN (four semesters of MSU nursing courses only) | Tuition & fees about $27,852 in-state / $49,868 out-of-state plus the same non-tuition expense band, for combined estimates near $33,555 – $34,055 in-state and $55,571 – $56,071 out-of-state. |
| Source | Estimated Costs — Bachelor of Science in Nursing; cross-check credit-hour rates on the detailed tuition & fees page. |
DNP and MSN pricing is not copied here because it depends on credit loads, residency, and fee tiers that change by term. Use the Graduate College cost resources and course fee schedules linked from each program page.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use the Missouri Board’s NCLEX PDFs for license exam outcomes and the School of Nursing pages for employment narratives.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (Springfield BSN) | 93.00% first-time, 93/100 testers, 2025 reporting windows through 09/30/2025 (Missouri Board NCSBN Report 4, Oct. 9, 2025) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (school marketing snapshot) | 96% first-time figure cited on the undergraduate BSN page—confirm cohort year and methodology with the School of Nursing. |
| Job placement (BSN marketing) | Undergraduate page states 100% job placement among BSN graduates—confirm definitions (e.g., nursing role vs. any employment) and documentation with career services. |
| APRN career claims (MSN marketing) | Family nurse practitioner materials mention a 100% job placement statistic; treat as school-reported marketing until you verify timing and scope with the graduate office. |
Is Missouri State University School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Choose Missouri State if you want a public-university price point in Missouri, a single Springfield complex for simulation and classes, and a breadth of options from first RN license to DNP without leaving the institution’s ecosystem.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a documented NCLEX track record under the Springfield BSN code and are prepared for competitive NursingCAS scoring.
- Value interprofessional clinical sciences neighbors (PA studies, nurse anesthesia, etc.) inside O’Reilly.
- Plan to climb from BSN to MSN/DNP using the pathways the school markets as flexible for working nurses.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed admission—lockstep prerequisites and holistic review mean many qualified applicants are not seated.
- Prefer a small private cohort experience; Springfield undergraduate nursing is still a mid-sized public program.
- Are targeting the West Plains ADN without relocating—those applicants should work with the West Plains nursing unit instead.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Springfield anchors southwest Missouri’s referral network. Large employers combine tertiary services, community hospitals, and federally qualified clinics that routinely host student experiences. Always confirm your semester’s official rotation agreements with the School of Nursing—the list evolves.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| CoxHealth | Integrated Springfield-based system with a Level I trauma center, stroke center, and children’s hospital—common destination for complex acute care exposure. |
| Mercy Hospital Springfield | Large Catholic health system flagship in Springfield with comprehensive specialty lines and rural telehealth links across the region. |
| Veterans Health Administration & community partners | MSU Care Clinic and partnership language on the facilities page highlight safety-net and interprofessional service learning in addition to traditional hospital rotations. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students spend much of their time in the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center, where the School highlights expanded skills labs, high-fidelity simulators with AV debrief, and collaboration with other health professions housed in the same building. Student organizations such as Sigma Nursing (honor society) and regional groups like the Advanced Practice Nurses of the Ozarks appear on the facilities resource list for extracurricular networking.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Springfield, MO
- Address
- School of Nursing, O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center, 640 E. Cherry St., Springfield, MO 65897, US
- MCHHS advisement (nursing majors)
- 417-836-3065
- Program pages
- Undergraduate nursing contacts · Graduate nursing contacts · DNP contacts
- Website
- missouristate.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the School of Nursing hub and bookmark the undergraduate or graduate pathway that matches your goal.
- Compare your transcripts to the current catalog prerequisites for the BSN major or the graduate specialty you want.
- Create a NursingCAS account if you are applying to pre-licensure BSN or graduate entry; note the fee and resume template rules.
- Download the Missouri Board’s latest RN Report 4 PDF so you can see how Springfield NCLEX results trend quarter to quarter.
- Schedule a conversation with MCHHS nursing advising (417-836-3065) if you are a current or admitted Bear.
- List clinical employers you hope to learn from (e.g., CoxHealth, Mercy) and ask how often students rotate through those sites.
- Calendar the NursingCAS close date (10:59 p.m. CT) for your intended cohort—late submissions are not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Missouri State University Springfield BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in the latest Missouri Board data?
Per Missouri Board of Nursing NCSBN Report 4 (2025 Quarter 3 file, Oct. 9, 2025), the Springfield BSN code US17505000 posted a 93.00% first-time pass rate for 100 testers in 2025 windows through September 30, 2025. Download newer PDFs as they appear on the board’s NCLEX statistics page.
Does Missouri State still require TEAS for the traditional four-year BSN?
Effective spring 2025 the School of Nursing announced suspension of the TEAS requirement for the four-year pre-licensure BSN. Requirements can change—double-check NursingCAS instructions and the admission requirements page for accelerated or graduate pathways.
What GPA does Missouri State require for competitive pre-licensure BSN admission?
The application roadmap lists a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at admission, then multiplies GPA for scoring. Holistic resume and interview components also matter. Confirm current thresholds on the live roadmap page.
When are Missouri State NursingCAS deadlines?
December 1–February 1 for fall traditional BSN, July 1–September 1 for spring traditional BSN, and February 1–April 1 for the accelerated fall cohort—deadline 10:59 p.m. Central on the close date.
How much does Missouri State estimate for a four-year BSN?
The spring 2025 planner shows about $48,101 in-state and $89,388 out-of-state for tuition and university fees, before the listed nursing supplies/ATI/background costs. Combined high-end estimates approach $54.3K in-state and $95.6K out-of-state.
What MSN tracks does Missouri State advertise?
Graduate pages highlight adult-gerontology acute care NP, family NP, nurse educator, psychiatric-mental health NP, plus an accelerated MSN option while completing the BSN.
Where do Missouri State nursing students train?
Marketing emphasizes Springfield’s major health systems (notably CoxHealth and Mercy) plus VA/community sites; exact semester rotations are assigned by the School of Nursing.
Is West Plains the same program as Springfield?
No—the associate program at Missouri State–West Plains carries a different NCSBN code in board tables. Use West Plains nursing pages if you intend to stay on that campus.
What should international students verify before applying?
Check English proficiency, credential evaluation, visa viability for clinicals, and Missouri licensure eligibility through the Missouri Board of Nursing and Missouri State’s international student office.
References
- Missouri State University — School of Nursingmissouristate.edu/nursing
- BSN estimated costs (spring 2025 planner)Undergraduate costs page
- Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX statisticspr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp
- O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center (map)Campus map listing
- MCHHS Student Success and Advisement CenterAdvisement contact
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)CCNE accreditation information
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov RN outlook
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 NCLEX program tables, official BSN cost planner figures, and documentation of the TEAS suspension for the four-year BSN.
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
