Missouri Online NP Programs
Find NP Schools
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Online NP programs are not ‘easier’ or less demanding; they require a significant commitment to self-discipline, critical thinking, and hands-on clinical experiences to ensure graduates are fully prepared for advanced practice.”
Tara Hommelson, DNP, Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri offers a growing landscape for aspiring nurse practitioners (NPs) with the flexibility and accessibility provided by online educational programs. These programs allow students to pursue advanced nursing degrees while balancing work, family, and other commitments. Online NP schools in Missouri provide rigorous coursework and clinical preparation designed to meet the state’s healthcare needs. Additionally, they offer a variety of specialties, including family practice, mental health, and acute care, equipping graduates for rewarding roles in diverse healthcare settings. The state’s demand for NPs continues to rise, making it an ideal location for those pursuing this career path.
With 7,520 nurse practitioners in Missouri as of 2022, the profession is on a steady upward trajectory, reflecting an increasing demand for healthcare services. CareerOneStop.org (2025) forecasts that Missouri’s NP workforce will expand by 43 percent, reaching an estimated 10,670 by 2032.
This significant growth is driven by the need for primary care providers, especially in rural areas where healthcare access remains a challenge. Online nurse practitioner programs in Missouri play a pivotal role in addressing this need by preparing nurses to step into these roles and contribute to improving healthcare delivery across the state, all while meeting the demands of a dynamic and evolving healthcare system.
Meet the Expert: Tara Hommelson, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, CNE
Dr. Tara Hommelson currently serves as the associate dean of graduate nursing at Missouri Baptist University, overseeing the family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse executive leadership tracks. She has worked as a registered nurse since 2008 and her nursing background includes pediatric medical-surgical, pediatric hematology and oncology, and pediatric research. Additionally, she is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner and has worked with adolescent medicine and pediatric plastic surgery patients in this capacity.
Dr. Hommelson earned her BSN in 2008 from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, her MSN from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2013, and her DNP from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2022. Dr. Hommelson was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in 2008. In 2013, she was awarded the Shirley A. Martin Distinguished Nurse Award, and in 2022, she got the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. Dr. Hommelson’s article, “Mindfulness Meditation to Decrease Stress in Pediatric Nurses” was published in Missouri Nurse and earned a spot as the featured article on the front cover of the Summer 2022 edition. She is a member of the National Association for Nurse Practitioner Faculty and the Coalition for Nurse Well-Being.
NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Missouri?
Dr. Hommelson: I wish the public understood that accredited online nurse practitioner (NP) programs in Missouri uphold the same rigorous standards as traditional in-person programs. These programs are designed to provide high-quality education, combining flexible online coursework with essential in-person clinical training. Online NP programs are not “easier” or less demanding; they require a significant commitment to self-discipline, critical thinking, and hands-on clinical experiences to ensure graduates are fully prepared for advanced practice.
Our MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) and follows their rigorous standards to ensure excellence in nursing education. This accreditation signifies that our curriculum meets high-quality benchmarks for preparing safe, competent, and ethical nurse practitioners.
Additionally, several of our courses have gone through the Quality Matters (QM) certified review process. QM adds even more value to a program by ensuring that courses meet the highest standards for online education. QM certification signifies that the program follows evidence-based best practices in course design, engagement, and student support, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes. I wish students knew to look for programs that follow the QM rubric, as this leads to a well-structured, interactive, and high-quality online education experience!
NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?
Dr. Hommelson: For students considering an online NP program, I encourage them to be proactive, organized, and fully engaged in their learning. Time management is critical, as balancing coursework, clinical hours, and personal responsibilities can be challenging. Our program at Missouri Baptist University is set up well for the working RN, but establishing strong communication with faculty, preceptors, and peers will enhance the learning experience and provide valuable support.
One of the greatest strengths of our MSN FNP program at MBU is the presence of supportive and caring faculty who are deeply invested in student success. In our program, faculty members serve not only as educators but also as mentors and advocates. They provide guidance throughout coursework, help students navigate clinical placements, and offer encouragement during challenging times. I encourage students to take advantage of this support by actively seeking feedback, asking questions, and building relationships with faculty who are committed to their growth.
Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Missouri (Ranked by In-State Tuition)
| School | Degrees | Specializations | Programs & Tuition | Programs | Tuition (in-state) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University of Missouri – Kansas City |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockhurst University |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saint Louis University |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graceland University |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryville University |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri Baptist University |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missouri NP Practice Authority
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Missouri?
| United States | Missouri | |
| Number of NPs Employed | 307,390 | 6,820 |
| Average Salary | $132,000 | $124,600 |
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $94,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $108,180 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $129,210 | $126,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $140,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $151,010 |
| Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of May 2025 | ||
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAmong her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.