Best Online Nursing Programs in Kansas City, KS (2026)
Kansas City, Kansas has a population of about 154,776. The city’s median household income is $59,183 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Kansas City. In the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $189,740 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Kansas City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Kansas City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Donnelly College | Kansas City, KS | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 13.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Kansas City
Kansas City is part of the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 28140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,630 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $89,330 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,700 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $67,784 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $189,740 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $205,124 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | KS statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,800 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $138,162 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,130 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $42,303 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Kansas City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,183 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Kansas City-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Shawnee, KS – 8.2 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Kansas City, MO – 10.2 mi away (1,590,762 pop)
- Prairie Village, KS – 11.0 mi away (21,805 pop)
- Lenexa, KS – 11.7 mi away (52,903 pop)
- Gladstone, MO – 11.7 mi away (27,114 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Kansas City, KS?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Kansas City. The closest is Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, KS (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnson County Community College (13.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Kansas City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Kansas City are: Nurse Anesthetist ($189,740), Nurse Practitioner ($127,800), Registered Nurse ($82,630). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Shawnee instead of Kansas City?
Shawnee, KS is 8.2 miles from Kansas City and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Kansas City an affordable place to study nursing?
Kansas City’s median household income of $59,183 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kansas City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.