4 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in St. Louis, MO (Online & Campus) – 2025


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

Why should you consider pursuing your nurse practitioner studies in St. Louis? Because the Gateway City is a center for international medical research and home to numerous exceptional hospitals. St. Louis is also an excellent city to practice in if you’re an NP because so many of its medically underserved areas face health-related challenges that are highly amenable to primary care interventions. What are the best NP programs in St. Louis, Missouri? Find out by reading through our comprehensive list of the 4 best nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis for 2025.



TOP 5 REASONS WHY ST. LOUIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO PURSUE NP PROGRAMS


Newcomers soon discover that St. Louis is a place that has all the amenities and cultural opportunities of a major metropolis combined with the friendliness and affability of a smaller, more cozy town. Here are five things that make the Gateway City a terrific place to pursue your nurse practitioner training:

1. Affordability:

The St. Louis lifestyle is reasonably priced! The cost of living in the Gateway City is 4% less than in Missouri as a whole and 13% less than the national average. Most of those savings are related to housing, which is 26% less in St. Louis than in other parts of the U.S. As a student nurse practitioner, you have to watch your dollars carefully—and they’ll go farther in St. Louis than in most other cities of comparable size.

2. Healthcare hub:

St. Louis’s reputation as a center for medical innovation keeps growing and growing. The Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area is home to nearly 25 major hospitals and a booming biotech sector. This means that if you need to work while pursuing your nurse practitioner degree, you’re likely to find a job that can accommodate your needs as a student. And should you choose to stay in the Gateway City once you graduate, you will likely find a great NP position with top-notch perks.

3. Booming economy:

St. Louis has been singled out in numerous news reports as one of the best places in the nation to pursue a new career or build a new business. While pockets of poverty remain throughout the city, there’s also a growing population of professionals for whom high-quality healthcare is a top priority. These people will value the service that you can offer as a highly trained healthcare provider.

4. Excellent public transportation:

St. Louis has an excellent public transportation system. It’s one of the few American cities where you can get around easily if you don’t want to incur the expense of keeping a car on a student nurse practitioner’s budget. The Gateway City’s MetroLink light rail is one of the best mass transit systems in the country. MetroBus provides easy access to shopping and other attractions throughout the bi-state Missouri/Illinois region.

5. Outstanding recreational opportunities:

No matter how dedicated you are to your nurse practitioner educational goals, you can’t study all the time, and in St. Louis, you won’t want to. Fabulous recreational opportunities abound, and in St. Louis, many of them, like the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the summer concert series in Lafayette Square, are absolutely free.



HOW LONG ARE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ST. LOUIS?


If you’re earning your first NP certification, the time it takes will depend upon the academic pathway your NP studies are coupled with. Master’s of Science in Nursing degrees in St. Louis can take full-time students between 20 and 27 months to complete. St. Louis University and Barnes-Jewish College both offer MSN programs that are 27 months long.

BSN-to-DNP programs in St. Louis range anywhere from 36 months (three years) to 60 months (five years) in length. At three to four years, Maryville University’s program is the shortest doctoral nursing program the Gateway City offers.

Certificate NP programs are standalone programs, unaffiliated with any advanced standing RN curriculum. Full-time students can often finish a Post-Master’s Certificate NP in a year, while part-time students can complete it in two years. At Barnes-Jewish College, the average time for NP certificate completion is 12 to 18 months.



HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ST. LOUIS COST?


The cost of a nurse practitioner program in St. Louis ranges between $12,00 and $65,000. Most NP programs in St. Louis charge by credit, so the cost of nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis will depend upon the number of credits required by the academic pathway they’re associated with. A few other variables factor into the NP cost equation as well.

Tuition is typically cheaper at public universities than private universities, so if your educational budget is one of your primary considerations, you’d do well to consider studying at a state school. The public university cost advantage usually only holds for state residents, though; non-resident students often pay the equivalent of private university tuition if they pursue their nurse practitioner studies at an out-of-state public university.

Tuition for an MSN from private Maryville University will set you back a little more than $38,000, not including associated fees. The University of Missouri, a public institution, combines tuition and fees and charges online students the same amount as in-state students. At $64,404, Mizzou’s BSN-to-DNP NP program may be a bargain. The tuition for a Post-Master’s NP certificate from Barnes-Jewish College will cost you slightly more than $15,000.



WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ST. LOUIS, MO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best NP programs in St. Louis, Missouri (Online & Campus) for the year 2025.)


1. Maryville University


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master's Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Post-Master's Certificate Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Maryville University is justly lauded for the high quality of its nursing curriculum. The distance-learning MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP tracks at Maryville University’s Catherine McAuley School Of Nursing are some of the best online nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis.

Maryville’s distance-learning NP tracks offer six clinical specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The McAuley School’s post-Master’s NP certificate training programs offer these six tracks as well.


MSN Program Details: The AGACNP and FNP tracks consist of 47 credits, while the PPCNP track consists of 44, the AGPCNP track 41, and the PMHNP track 50. All five clinical tracks associated with Maryville’s Master’s of Science in Nursing degree require 580 clinical hours. In addition to clinical specialty classes and practicums, you’ll have to complete the MSN core curriculum, which contains classes like “Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice,” “Health Care Policy,” and “Professional Role Development.”

Maryville University’s MSN-NP curriculum is delivered entirely online except for practicums, and you can arrange your clinical rotations at a location close to where you live.


MSN Program Length: This nurse practitioner program in St. Louis offers start dates in January, March, May, July, August, and October. Full-time students should be able to complete the program in 20 months (five terms); part-time students should be able to complete it in 32 months (eight terms.)

MSN Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, a current curriculum vitae, and a statement of purpose with their applications.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Maryville University’s BSN-to-DNP NP program contains courses on professional leadership as well as core advanced practice courses, specialization coursework, and practicums. Maryville University also offers an accelerated BSN-to-DNP NP curriculum in which you’ll earn a DNP without an MSN degree.

The AGACNP and FNP tracks comprise 74 credits, while the AGPCNP track entails 68 credits, the PPCNP track 71 credits, and the PMHNP track 77 credits. Coursework apart from your clinical education will include classes like “Advanced Health Assessment,” “Advanced Health Care Policy,” and “Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.”

All DNP-NP tracks culminate with a clinical inquiry in which students design an evidence-based research study that integrates what they are learning in didactic coursework with experiences they’ve had in the field throughout their practicums.

In accordance with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s guidelines, clinical requirements for Maryville’s BSN-to-DNP program include 1,000 hours of practicum. You’ll be able to satisfy your clinical requirement in a healthcare practice setting in your own community.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: One of Maryville’s significant advantages is that it offers prospective BSN-to-DNP NP students multiple start dates throughout the year in January, March, May, July, August, and October. If you choose to enroll full-time, you should be able to earn your DNP/NP degree in 40 months (10 terms.) If you pursue your BSN-to-DNP NP studies part-time, you can complete the necessary coursework in 72 months (18 terms.)

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Successful candidates will have a BSN from an accredited college or university. Your undergraduate GPA must be 3.25 or higher. You must submit three professional references and an essay exploring your long-term professional goals with your application.

MSN-to-DNP Program Details: This is one of the online nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis that offers NP training to nurses who completed their Master’s degrees without opting for certification in a hands-on clinical specialty but who now want to enhance their professional opportunities by becoming a nurse practitioner and a DNP at the same time.

The MSN-to-DNP AGACNP and FNP tracks require 68 credits. You must complete 71 credits to earn a DNP/PMHNP degree, 62 for a DNP/AGPCNP degree, and 65 for a DNP/PPCNP. All five tracks require 1,000 clinical hours, which you can do in a hospital, clinic, or primary care setting near your home.


MSN-to-DNP Program Length: MSN-prepared nurses who wish to earn their DNP and a Nurse Practitioner certification at the same time can begin this program in January, March, May, July, August, or October. Full-time students may be prepared to sit for certifying exams in as short as 36 months.

MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: This program is only open to advanced practice nurses with a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Prospective students must submit a CV, three professional references, and a statement of purpose with their application.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Post-Master’s NP certificates are designed for APRNs who want to expand their professional expertise into new specialties. Maryville University offers five post-Master’s certificates; 35-credit AGACNP and FNP certificates, a 29-credit ACPCNP certificate, a 32-credit PPCNP certificate, and a 38-credit PMHNP certificate. All five certificates entail 580 clinical hours, which you can perform in a healthcare setting that’s local to you.


Post-Master’s Certificate Program Length: You should be able to complete a post-Master’s NP certificate in 24 months.

Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: This NP track is open to students who’ve earned an MSN from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Maryville University NP Students: Maryville University does not designate any internal scholarships specifically for students interested in pursuing nurse practitioner studies. However, the university’s financial aid experts will connect you with information about external nursing scholarship sources, and if you’re working while you’re in school, you may be eligible for tuition assistance through your employer. Additionally, depending upon the information you enter in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, you may qualify for state and federal grants and loans.


Interesting Highlights About Maryville University NP School

• In 2021, Maryville University awarded 839 MSN and 77 DNP degrees.

U.S. News & World Report named Maryville University’s online MSN program the 132nd best in the nation.

• Maryville University delivers its online NP programs through the Canvas Learning Management System, an asynchronous content delivery system that utilizes recorded lectures, VoiceThread presentations, discussion boards, assessments, and individual and group projects.

• While Maryville University accepts students from all states into its nursing programs, prospective students should check with their own state Board of Nursing to ensure the program they’re interested in meets that state’s requirements for nurse practitioner licensure.


2. Saint Louis University


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master's Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master's Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Saint Louis University is the oldest American university west of the Mississippi. Its Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing has achieved a reputation not only as one of the best nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis but also in the nation. The Valentine School of Nursing offers Adult-Gerontological Acute Care practice, Pediatric Primary Care practice, and a hybrid specialty that combines Family Nurse practice with Psychiatric/Mental Health practice. You can pursue these four clinical nurse practice specialties as part of an MSN or a BSN-to-DNP degree or independently as a nurse practitioner post-Master’s certificate.


MSN Program Details: SLU’s Master’s of Science in Nursing NP program is designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Once accepted into the program, you’ll meet with a faculty advisor to create an individualized schedule. The MSN/AGCNP and MSN/PPCNP degrees consist of 36 credits, while the MSN/FNP degree requires 40 credits. You’ll need 41 credits to graduate with an MSN in joint Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practice. All four NP specialties entail 600 clinical hours.

While the MSN curriculum is delivered primarily online, you’re required to make two campus visits: a two-day orientation visit immediately before the program begins and a second visit during one of your clinical management courses. Coursework includes advanced practice nursing classes, NP specialization classes, and practicums. Advanced practice nursing classes include “Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition,” “Advanced Pathophysiology,” and “Advanced Pharmacology.” Clinical rotations are completed in practice settings close to where you live that have been approved by the Valentine School of Nursing faculty.


MSN Program Length: Saint Louis University offers start dates in the fall and spring semesters. If you enroll full-time, you should be able to graduate in three years; if you enroll part-time, you should be able to graduate in four.

MSN Admission Requirements: You’ll need a current, unencumbered RN license in the state where you’ll be doing your clinical practicums and a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher from an accredited nursing program.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP NP and MSN NP curricula at Saint Louis University differ in that the BSN-to-DNP NP curriculum includes more leadership and administration classes as well as courses in the analysis of evidence-based research that culminate with a DNP project. Courses included in the BSN-to-DNP NP syllabus that aren’t a part of the MSN syllabus include “Epidemiology” and “Clinical Informatics.”

The BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP degree comprises 67 credits, while the BSN-to-DNP/FNP degree requires 72. Both the combination Family and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practice and PPCNP BSN-to-DNP degrees entail 69 credits. All four NP specialties require 1,050 clinical hours.

Though coursework is primarily delivered online, you must make at least four campus visits, including at least one three-day residency at SLU’s Saint Louis campus and several orientation sessions. SLU will assist you in finding a clinical rotation in your geographic location that will help you put your newly learned skills into practice.



BSN-to-DNP Program Length: The BSN-to-DNP NP tracks at St. Louis University typically take full-time students six years to complete. Part-time completion options are also available. Classes begin in the spring and fall semesters.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: SLU’s BSN-to-DNP/NP program is only available to RNs with active, unencumbered licenses who hold a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. You’ll also need at least one year of professional clinical experience.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: APRNs can expand their clinical focus by completing one of Saint Louis University’s stand-alone post-Master’s certificate programs. Once you’ve been accepted into the program, SLU will review your transcripts to see if you can transfer over credits from courses you have previously taken. All four post-Master’s certificate NP specialties at SLU require 600 clinical hours.

Depending on the results of your gap analysis, the AGACNP certificate can require anywhere between 16 and 28 credits, while the FNP certificate can require anywhere between 18 and 31 credits. The Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner consists of 23 to 35 credits, and the PPCNP certificate involves 15 to 18 credits.


Post-Master’s Certificate Program Length: SLU’s post-Master’s certificate programs have start dates in the fall and the spring. Program length depends upon the results of the gap analysis of previous coursework. Full-time students can usually complete certificate programs in one year, and part-time students can complete them in two years.

Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: You must have an MSN with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher from an accredited nursing program as well as an active, unencumbered nursing license. Preference is given to candidates with professional experience in an advanced practice nursing role.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Saint Louis University NP Students: Every academic year, the Valentine School of Nursing awards over $1 million in scholarship funds to undergraduate and graduate nursing students alike. Graduate nursing students may also be eligible for research assistantship opportunities. The information you submit on your FAFSA form may qualify you for state and federal grants and loans.


Interesting Highlights About Saint Louis University NP School

• St. Louis University awarded 101 MSN degrees and 12 DNP degrees in 2021.

• According to U.S. News & World Report, St. Louis University has the 68th-best MSN degree program in the U.S. and the 87th-best DNP program.

• Although St. Louis University is a Jesuit institution, the university welcomes students of all religious backgrounds (including those who don’t belong to any faith tradition), and explicitly Catholic tenets are not reflected in any of its educational offerings.


3. University of Missouri


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care

Post-Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care, and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care


About the School: The University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing is renowned for the high quality of its nursing research and the excellence of its nursing education. The nursing school was founded in 1903 as a hospital diploma program associated with the University of Missouri’s first medical facility. Today Sinclair offers a BSN-to-DNP program affiliated with six NP training tracks: AGPCNP, FNP, PACNP, PPCNP, PMHNP, and WHNP. The same six tracks can also be pursued as post-Master’s certificates.


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Missouri is phasing out its MSN and moving its DNP degree to stage center because the university takes the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s move to make the DNP degree the terminal clinical nursing degree very much to heart. Mizzou’s BSN-to-DNP NP curriculum consists of four components: APRN-related coursework, classes that explore organizational leadership and management, NP specialty classes, and clinical practicums.

Mizzou’s DNP NP degree requires 72 to 74.5 credits. You’ll take classes like “Advanced Nursing Roles and Professional Communication,” “Advanced Health Assessment and Promotion,” and “Scientific Foundations for Health Sciences.” You’ll also participate in a DNP Residency Project, during which you’ll design, implement, and evaluate a design of cost-effective, evidence-based, therapeutic intervention based on a challenge you’ve encountered during your practicums.

The BSN-to-DNP NP degree requires a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. Six hundred hours will be spent learning clinical skills related to your chosen population focus, while 400 hours will be spent participating in a DNP Clinical Scholarship program.

You’ll be able to access most of your coursework online. Still, you will have to make a five-day visit to The University of Missouri’s campus in Saint Louis for orientation and additional campus visits throughout the program. For every credit you enroll in, you should plan on spending two to three hours a week outside of class studying.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: This is one of the NP programs in St. Louis that offers multiple start dates throughout the year. The PMHNP & FNP programs accept new students in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Other BSN-to-DNP NP specialties accept new students in the summer and fall semesters.

Full-time students should be able to complete this program in four years, but the University of Missouri also offers a part-time track, which can be completed in five years.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: You’ll need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.3. You must have an active, unencumbered RN license in the state where you’ll be completing your clinical practicums.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: The University of Missouri’s post-graduate NP certificates help nurses who’ve already earned APRN certification expand their clinical expertise to include new population foci. Specific curricula are highly individualized, depending upon the NP specialty you choose and the number of credits you’re able to transfer over from previous academic work.

The typical FNP curriculum consists of 19.5 credits, while the typical PMHNP curriculum comprises 18.5 credits. A minimum of 600 clinical hours is required for all NP specialties. All coursework except for your practicum can be completed online.


Post-Graduate Certificate Program Length: Full-time students should be able to complete this program in a year. Most students, however, prefer to prefer their post-graduate certificate NP training at the University of Missouri part-time and complete the training in two years.

Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: You’ll need an MSN or a DNP from an accredited nursing program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be admitted into this program. Additionally, you must have a current, unrestricted nursing license.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for University of Missouri NP Students: The Sinclair School of Nursing offers several graduate nursing scholarships based on need, academic merit, and other factors. Depending on the information you submit in your FAFSA form, you may also be eligible for state and federal grants and loans.


Interesting Highlights About University of Missouri NP School

• Eight individuals earned MSN degrees from the University of Missouri in 2021, while 56 earned DNP degrees.

• The Sinclair School of Nursing’s DNP program is ranked the 35th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

• The University of Missouri’s BSN-to-DNP program allows you to simultaneously study for two NP specialty certifications.

• This NP school in St. Louis can’t accept students from Alabama, Arizona, California, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, or Washington State.


4. Barnes-Jewish College


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master's Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master's Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)


About the School: Back in 1903, when it was still the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing, the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College became the first nursing school in the nation to be accredited by the National League of Nursing. Excellence has been its tradition ever since.

The college offers two nurse practitioner tracks as part of its MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs: an AGACNP track and an AGPCNP track.


MSN Program Details: The AGACNP track involves 51 credits and 728 clinical hours, while the AGPCNP track requires 45 credits and 560 clinical hours. Like other nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis, the Barnes-Jewish College’s NP curricula are split into MSN coursework, specialty coursework, and practicums.

MSN coursework includes classes like “Organizational & Systems Leadership,” “Evidence-Based Practice Research,” and “Advanced Health Assessment.” The college uses a hybrid teaching model to deliver coursework that combines distance learning with face-to-face classes at Barnes-Jewish College’s campus in St. Louis. Face-to-face classes meet once a week.

Barnes-Jewish College’s staff will choose your preceptors and arrange your clinical experiences. The college partners with numerous St. Louis healthcare providers, including the Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University Physician’s Group, Barnes-Jewish Medical Group, and the Center for Preoperative Assessment and Planning.


MSN Program Length: You can start the program in the spring, summer, or fall semesters. Full-time students should be able to finish this degree in seven semesters (27 months.) This nurse practitioner program in St. Louis doesn’t offer a part-time completion option.

MSN Admission Requirements: This MSN program is only open to nurses whose licensure is current and in good standing and who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The typical AGACNP Post-Graduate Certificate consists of 18 credits and 672 clinical hours, while the typical AGPCNP Certificate consists of 18 credits and 504 clinical hours. However, NP certificate curricula will vary according to the number of credits you can transfer over from your previous academic work.


Post-Master’s Certificate Program Length: The AGACNP certificate program begins in the fall and can be completed in one year. It will take between 12 and 18 months to complete the AGPCNP certificate program, and your start date will depend upon the results of your gap analysis.

Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: You must have a current, unencumbered RN license and an MSN or DNP degree from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll in this certificate program.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Barnes-Jewish College NP Students: The Goldfarb School of Nursing administers several graduate nursing scholarships, including the Goldfarb Legacy Scholarship and the Diversity in Nursing scholarship. Depending on the information you enter into your FAFSA form, you may also qualify for federal grants and loans.


Interesting Highlights About Barnes-Jewish College NP School

• In 2021, the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College conferred 33 MSN degrees and five DNP degrees.

• Barnes-Jewish College’s MSN degree is ranked the 118th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

• Faculty members from the Goldfarb School of Nursing frequently provide mentorship and support for APRNs working at nearby St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



CAREER INFORMATION FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI


HOW MANY NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE THERE IN ST. LOUIS?


Some 3,090 nurse practitioners work throughout Greater Metropolitan St. Louis.

Employment
3,090
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


WHERE DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS WORK IN ST. LOUIS?


Nurse practitioners work in a range of specialties and practice settings throughout St. Louis, including medical centers, hospitals, physician practices, ambulatory care clinics, home healthcare agencies, managed care facilities, and government organizations.

Work Setting
Offices of Physicians
General Medical & Surgical Hospitals
Outpatient Care Centers
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
Home Health Care Services


WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN ST. LOUIS?


The professional future is bright for nurse practitioners in St. Louis. Demand for their services is high and is anticipated to increase by 47 percent within the next 10 years.

10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030)
+47.49%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS MAKE IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI?


WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NP PROGRAMS IN ST. LOUIS EXPECT?


Entry-level nurse practitioners earn $37.61 per hour in St. Louis. That works out to $1,504 a week, $6,520 a month, or $78,230 a year.

Hourly$37.61
Weekly$1,504
Monthly$6,520
Annual$78,230
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NP PROGRAMS IN ST. LOUIS EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?


Nurse practitioners in St. Louis make higher salaries as they accumulate experience. NPs in the Gateway City with one to four years of experience earn 23 percent more than their counterparts starting in the profession, while NPs with five to nine years of experience earn 30 percent more. Seasoned St. Louis NPs with two or more decades of experience earn 65 percent more than entry-level nurse practitioners.

Level of Experience HourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Entry-Level $37.61$1,504$6,520$78,230
1-4 Years of Experience $46.17$1,847$8,000$96,040
5-9 Years of Experience $48.94$1,958$8,480$101,790
10-19 Years of Experience $58.21$2,328$10,090$121,070
20 Years or More Experience $61.93$2,477$10,740$128,820
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ST. LOUIS?


The average salary of a nurse practitioner in St. Louis is $105,390 annually. This works out to $50.67 an hour, $2,027 a week, or $8,780 a month. Nurse practitioners typically achieve this milestone sometime during their ninth year of professional practice.

Hourly$50.67
Weekly$2,027
Monthly$8,780
Annual$105,390
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ST. LOUIS VS. OTHER SALARIES


NP SALARY IN ST. LOUIS VS. NP SALARY IN THE NATION


Nurse practitioners in St. Louis make 11 percent less than NPs make in the U.S. as a whole. But since the cost of living in the Gateway City is 13 percent less than it is in the U.S. as a whole, their purchasing power remains strong.

Average St. Louis
NP Annual Salary
Average National NP
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$105,390$118,040-$12,650-10.72%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN ST. LOUIS VS. NP SALARY IN MISSOURI


The average NP in the Gateway City earns 2 percent more than nurse practitioners in other parts of Missouri.

Average St. Louis
NP Annual Salary
Average Missouri NP
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$105,390$103,490+$1,900+1.84%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN ST. LOUIS VS. NP SALARIES IN OTHER MISSOURI CITIES


St. Louis is one of the cities in the Show Me State where nurse practitioners earn the highest salary. NPs in the Gateway City earn 4 percent more than they do in Joplin and 5 percent more than they do in Jefferson City, the state capital. On the other hand, NPs in St. Louis earn 6 percent less than they do in Kansas City, the Show Me State’s largest, most populous city.

Metro Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Kansas City $112,710 -$7,320 -6.49%
Cape Girardeau $105,620 -$230 -0.22%
St. Louis $105,390 $0 0.00%
St. Joseph $105,280 +$110 +0.10%
Joplin $101,600 +$3,790 +3.73%
Jefferson City $100,010 +$5,380 +5.38%
Springfield $99,820 +$5,570 +5.58%
Columbia $97,270 +$8,120 +8.35%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN ST. LOUIS VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN ST. LOUIS


Nurse practitioners make the highest salaries of all healthcare workers in St. Louis’s nursing sector. They earn 4 percent more than nurse midwives and nearly 50 percent more than registered nurses. And nurse practitioners in the Gateway City earn almost two and a half times the salary that nursing assistants earn.

Type of Nurse Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Nurse Practitioner $105,390 $0 0.00%
Nurse Midwife $101,260 +$4,130 +4.08%
Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary $73,140 +$32,250 +44.09%
Registered Nurse $70,640 +$34,750 +49.19%
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse $49,730 +$55,660 +111.92%
Nursing Assistant $30,740 +$74,650 +242.84%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN ST. LOUIS VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN ST. LOUIS


In St. Louis, nurse practitioners make nearly 15 percent more than physician assistants make. This is significant because in terms of scope of practice, the job descriptions of physician assistants come closest to that of nurse practitioners. NPs in the Gateway City also earn significantly more than healthcare professionals like physical therapists and occupational therapists whose focus is rehabilitative rather than diagnostic: St. Louis-based NPs earn 23 percent more than physical therapists and 31 percent more than occupational therapists.

On the other hand, NPs in St. Louis earn much lower salaries than healthcare professionals who are graduates of four-year programs. They earn 63 percent less than physicians, 40 percent less than dentists, and 12 percent less than pharmacists. Part of the disparity between physician and NP salaries in St. Louis may be due to the fact that Missouri law mandates that NPs must work under physician supervision.

Job Title Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Physician $284,100 -$178,710 -62.90%
Dentist $176,270 -$70,880 -40.21%
Optometrist $157,230 -$51,840 -32.97%
Podiatrist $135,140 -$29,750 -22.01%
Pharmacist $119,560 -$14,170 -11.85%
Chiropractor $110,630 -$5,240 -4.74%
Nurse Practitioner $105,390 $0 0.00%
Veterinarian $93,010 +$12,380 +13.31%
Physician Assistant $92,070 +$13,320 +14.47%
Physical Therapist $85,200 +$20,190 +23.70%
Occupational Therapist $80,300 +$25,090 +31.25%
Speech-Language Pathologist $77,870 +$27,520 +35.34%
Audiologist $77,760 +$27,630 +35.53%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT


1. Who Accredits Nurse Practitioner Programs In St. Louis?

The two organizations that accredit nurse practitioner programs in St. Louis are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE.)

S.No.Accrediting Agency
1Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
2Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)


2. How Many Accredited Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In St. Louis?

St. Louis is home to four accredited nurse practitioner schools: Maryville University, Saint Louis University, the University of Missouri, and Barnes-Jewish College.

4


3. On Average, How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner In St. Louis?

Depending upon the associated academic degree you choose to pursue, it can take you anywhere from one to five years to complete your nurse practitioner studies in St. Louis.


4. On Average, How Much Do NP Programs Cost In St. Louis?

NP programs in St. Louis cost between $12,000 and $65,000, depending upon the associated academic degree you choose to pursue.


5. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Hour In St. Louis?

Nurse practitioners in St. Louis earn $50.67 an hour on average.

$50.67


6. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Month In St. Louis?

Nurse practitioners in St. Louis earn $8,780 a month on average.

$8,780


7. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Year In St. Louis?

Nurse practitioners in St. Louis earn $105,390 annually on average.

$105,390


8. Are Nurse Practitioners In Demand In St. Louis?

Yes, the demand for nurse practitioners is high in St. Louis because so many medically underserved neighborhoods throughout the city are in desperate need of primary care providers. Job opportunities for NPs in the Gateway City are expected to grow by 47 percent within the next decade.


9. Can Nurse Practitioners Practice Independently In St. Louis?

No, nurse practitioners cannot practice independently in St. Louis. St. Louis is in Missouri, and the Show Me State has some of the strictest NP supervision laws around.

NPs must work under a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician, and furthermore, they cannot practice at a site that’s more than 30 miles distant from that supervising physician. The supervising physician must visit the NP’s place of work at least once every two weeks and cosign at least 10 percent of the NP’s charts.

Restricted Practice


10. Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medications In St. Louis?

Nurse practitioners can only prescribe medications in St. Louis if prescribing medications is part of the collaborative practice agreement he or she has with a supervising physician.


Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.




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