Question 1

How many accredited nursing programs are in the Wichita, KS area?

Accepted Answer

The Wichita metro plus surrounding Sedgwick County has roughly eight accredited nursing programs at four-year universities and community colleges combined. Wichita State University, Newman University, and Friends University run BSN programs inside the city. WSU Tech, Butler Community College (El Dorado), Hutchinson Community College, Cowley College (Arkansas City), and Hesston College run ADN programs within a 90-minute drive. Every one of these programs is listed on this page with current tuition, ownership type, and completion rate from the College Scorecard.

Question 2

Which Wichita nursing program has the best NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Accepted Answer

Kansas State Board of Nursing releases annual first-time pass rates. Wichita State University and Newman University have consistently ranked in the top tier for four-year BSN programs in Kansas. Among community-college ADN programs in the Wichita area, Butler Community College and Hesston College have historically posted the highest first-time pass rates. Rates fluctuate year to year, so check the current Kansas State Board of Nursing annual report before final enrollment decisions. See the NCLEX pass rates guide on this site for the current data by state.

Question 3

What does nursing school cost in Wichita?

Accepted Answer

Tuition varies widely by school type. Wichita State University in-state tuition runs around $9,000 per year. WSU Tech and Butler Community College charge roughly $3,500 per year for their ADN programs. Newman University, Friends University, and Hesston College are private institutions with tuition in the $30,000 to $36,000 per year range. Financial aid, Kansas state grants, and hospital tuition-reimbursement programs at Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center can reduce out-of-pocket cost substantially. See the financial aid guide for the full breakdown.

Question 4

How long does it take to complete a nursing program in Wichita?

Accepted Answer

The ADN programs at WSU Tech, Butler, Hutchinson, and Cowley typically run two years full-time. The BSN programs at Wichita State, Newman, and Friends run four years for traditional students. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor degree in another field can finish in 12 to 16 months at Wichita State. Bridge programs (RN-to-BSN and LPN-to-RN) are available at most of these schools and let working nurses upgrade credentials in 12 to 24 months of part-time study.

Question 5

Do Wichita hospitals hire ADN nurses or do they require a BSN?

Accepted Answer

Both Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center hire ADN-prepared registered nurses. That said, both systems have BSN-preferred hiring for many acute care and specialty units, and both offer tuition reimbursement for ADN-to-BSN bridge programs. If you plan to start at ADN level in Wichita and later move into critical care, ICU, or leadership, budget for a two-year online RN-to-BSN completion within the first three years of employment. Most local nurses take this exact path.

Question 6

What is the Kansas nurse licensure process?

Accepted Answer

After graduating from a Kansas Board of Nursing approved program, apply for RN licensure through the Kansas State Board of Nursing, pay the application fee (currently $50 for KS residents), complete fingerprint-based criminal background check, and register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. Once approved to test, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. Kansas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so once you hold a Kansas RN license you can practice in any other compact state without additional licensure. See the how-to-become-a-nurse guide for the full process.

Question 7

What is the RN salary in Wichita, Kansas?

Accepted Answer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median RN salary in the Wichita metro area at approximately $65,000 to $72,000 per year, below the national median but well above the Kansas median household income. Salaries at Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center range from about $58,000 for new-graduate RN roles up to $95,000+ for experienced ICU, ER, and OR nurses. Specialty certifications (CCRN, CEN, RNC) typically add $3,000 to $8,000 per year. The salary guide on this site breaks down pay by specialty and years of experience.

Question 8

Are there online nursing programs available to Wichita residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Kansas residents can enroll in any CCNE-accredited online BSN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN program that accepts out-of-state students. Six accredited online programs commonly available to Kansas residents are compared on the online nursing programs page, including options that place students in local Wichita hospitals for clinical rotations. Online programs are especially popular for working nurses in Wichita who need flexible scheduling around 12-hour shift work at Via Christi or Wesley.

Question 9

Which Wichita neighborhoods are closest to the nursing schools?

Accepted Answer

Wichita State University sits in the northeast side of the city near 21st and Hillside, closest to the Fairmount and Northeast neighborhoods and about 15 minutes from downtown. Newman University and Friends University are both on the west side near West Central and Delano, with easy access from Riverside, College Hill, and Rockwood. WSU Tech is on the far southwest side. Butler Community College (El Dorado) is 30 minutes east of Wichita. Commute times from any Wichita ZIP code between 67202 and 67235 are under 45 minutes to any of these campuses.

Question 10

What prerequisite classes do I need before applying to a Wichita nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Most Wichita BSN and ADN programs require the same core prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition, English Composition I and II, College Algebra or Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. Community colleges in the Wichita area (WSU Tech, Butler, Hutchinson, Cowley) offer all of these prerequisites at low cost, and credits transfer directly to Wichita State, Newman, and Friends BSN programs. Plan for two full semesters to complete prerequisites before applying to your first choice program.

Question 11

Does Wichita State University have an accelerated BSN program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wichita State University College of Nursing offers an accelerated BSN option designed for students who already hold a bachelor degree in another field. The accelerated track condenses the nursing coursework and clinical rotations into approximately 15 months of intensive full-time study. Admission is competitive and typically requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite coursework. This is the fastest route from a non-nursing bachelor to RN licensure in the Wichita area.

Question 12

Where do Wichita nursing students do clinical rotations?

Accepted Answer

Clinical placements happen primarily at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph, and Wesley Medical Center inside the city, plus outlying facilities in Newton, Hutchinson, and Derby. Rotations cover medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, and community health across the program. Wichita State and Newman students often complete their capstone or preceptorship in the ICU, ER, or specialty unit where they hope to work post-graduation, which frequently leads directly to a new-graduate job offer at that facility.


Bethel College-North Newton	North Newton	$35,014	Private non-profit	41%
Butler Community College	El Dorado	$3,541	Public	32%
Emporia State University	Emporia	$7,106	Public	56%
Galen Health Institutes-Wichita	Wichita	$16,364	Private for-profit	Not reported
Hesston College	Hesston	$32,936	Private non-profit	61%
Hutchinson Community College	Hutchinson	$3,540	Public	53%
Kansas Wesleyan University	Salina	$34,630	Private non-profit	49%
Newman University	Wichita	$35,500	Private non-profit	53%
Pratt Community College	Pratt	$4,256	Public	45%
Salina Area Technical College	Salina	$7,128	Public	68%
Southwestern College	Winfield	$39,822	Private non-profit	36%
Tabor College	Hillsboro	$36,200	Private non-profit	34%
Wichita State University	Wichita	$9,684	Public	51%

Nursing Programs in Wichita, KS

All accredited programs

The five programs Wichita families ask about most

Salina Area Technical College

Hesston College

Emporia State University

Hutchinson Community College

Newman University

What nursing school actually costs in Wichita

How Kansas RN licensure works

What Wichita RNs actually earn

Prefer to start online this month? Kansas residents qualify for these programs.

Questions about nursing school in Wichita

Serving all of Sedgwick County

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