5 accredited schools across the St. Louis metro area trained 566 nursing assistants in 2023–24. Here’s how they compare on cost, length and size, plus what the job pays locally.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Sorted by number of 2023–24 graduates (IPEDS), a proxy for program size and stability.
255 CNA credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,600 ($5,940 out of state).
This public two-year college in Clinton County graduated 222 CNA students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $4,080 ($11,850 out of state).
79 CNA credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public two-year college. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,000 ($12,000 out of state).
This price is for a longer program than a typical CNA course; it is classified under the same federal program code. Ask about stand-alone CNA training.
8 CNA credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this private for-profit career school. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $16,118 for a program of about 9 months.
Public career school in Red Bud that reported 2 CNA graduates in 2023–24. Published tuition and fees plus books and supplies come to $800 for a program of about 3 months.
5 accredited schools in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area graduated 566 CNA students in 2023–24. The largest was Southwestern Illinois College with 255.
Among schools that published a program price, Career Center of Southern Illinois in Red Bud listed the lowest total: $800 for tuition, books and supplies.
Certified Nursing Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro earn a median $39,110 a year ($18.81/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $37,680 statewide and $42,260 nationally.
Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more.