Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit, independently accredited nursing college
• Institutional nursing lineage dates to 1902
• HLC reaffirmation is scheduled for 2029–2030
• Located within the Washington University Medical Campus

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Goldfarb reflects a compact professional-school environment. Engagement opportunities include peer tutoring, peer mentorship through the Goldfarb Guide program, a student ambassador program, clubs and organizations, community service, and the Tau Iota Chapter of Sigma for eligible nursing students. These activities emphasize academic support, professional leadership, and connection among students balancing coursework and clinical responsibilities. Academic and student-support services include advising, tutoring, library resources, disability services, information-technology support, and career assistance. Career services works with students individually, in groups, and through workshops and events. Available support covers nursing-career exploration, employer connections, mentoring and shadowing, résumés, interviews, job searches, and assistance related to NCLEX applications. Goldfarb does not provide on-campus housing. Students must therefore arrange housing and transportation independently, making commute time and living costs important planning considerations. The school’s year-round, three-term structure can also shape daily life differently from a traditional two-semester residential college. Prospective students should expect their schedule and campus involvement to revolve heavily around nursing classes, laboratories, simulation, clinical placements, and professional preparation rather than residence-hall programming or varsity athletics.

Location & Surroundings

Goldfarb Hall is at 4483 Duncan Avenue in St. Louis’s Central West End, on the Washington University Medical Campus. The immediate academic and clinical area includes Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, WashU Medicine, and the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. This concentration of healthcare institutions places nursing students close to major clinical partners and medical research activity. The campus is within walking distance of Forest Park, whose museums, zoo, science center, performance venue, paths, and recreation facilities broaden the options available outside class. The Central West End also offers restaurants, services, and housing, although students should compare neighborhoods based on price, commute, and clinical schedules rather than assume they can live on campus. Public transportation is a practical option for some commuters. The Central West End MetroLink station is a short walk from the college and provides connections toward downtown, Illinois, and St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Visitor garages are available near Goldfarb Hall, but students should consult the college for current parking arrangements and costs.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–2027, Goldfarb lists BSN tuition at $789 per credit and RN-to-BSN tuition at $475 per credit. MSN, postgraduate-certificate, and DNP tuition is listed at $834 per credit, with additional program and course charges applying in some tracks. Because credits, fees, surcharges, and clinical requirements differ, prospective students should calculate costs from the curriculum for their specific pathway rather than multiply a single rate across programs. The school’s official 12-month cost-of-attendance budgets illustrate the difference between tuition and total financial planning. For 2026–2027, estimated totals include $76,341 for an Upper Division student living off campus and $90,877 for an Accelerated student living off campus. Corresponding estimates for students living with a parent are lower. These figures combine direct charges with estimated living, transportation, books, supplies, and equipment expenses; they are financial-aid budgets, not amounts billed entirely by the college. Goldfarb provides no campus housing. Students can explore federal and institutional aid, scholarships, loans, work-study, military benefits, and BJC employee tuition benefits. The BJC Full-Ride Scholars Program may cover qualifying tuition and fees for eligible Upper Division or Accelerated BSN applicants, but candidates should verify eligibility and obligations directly. Career preparation is specifically nursing-focused. Services include employer connections, mentoring, shadowing, NCLEX application support, résumé development, interview preparation, and job-search guidance. Clinical exposure through Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and other healthcare partners can help students understand different practice settings, but the reviewed sources do not support a specific placement rate, starting salary, or guaranteed employment outcome.