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Best Value Education Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Missouri Southern State University offers the state's most affordable Education, General program at $11,653 net cost while delivering $34,298 median earnings, creating one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios among Missouri education programs. The gap between public and private options reaches dramatic proportions, with Saint Louis University charging $27,075 compared to several public institutions under $13,000. Missouri's education sector benefits from the state's A+ Scholarship program covering community college tuition, plus major healthcare employers like BJC HealthCare that hire education professionals for training and development roles. Graduation rates span from 27.40% at Harris-Stowe State University to 94.40% at Washington University, reflecting the wide spectrum of institutional missions. Truman State University stands out with a 45.05% acceptance rate yet maintains strong outcomes with $29,685 earnings and a 68.40% graduation rate, positioning itself between open-access and selective institutions.
23
Programs
$11,653 – $27,075
Net Price Range
$30,244
Avg. Program Earnings
56.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Education, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,653 $34,298 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
2 $12,030 $29,685 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
3 $13,459 $29,374 $6,442 27.4%
4 $12,323 $21,964 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
5 $18,516 $30,228 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
6 $27,075 $37,125 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
7 $26,196 $32,925 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
8 $25,477 $26,353 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
9 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
10 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
11 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
12 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
13 $23,165 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
14 $13,773 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
15 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
16 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
17 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
18 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
19 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
20 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
21 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
22 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
23 $13,866 $11,200 40.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $15,422 difference in net costs between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Missouri Southern State University's $11,653 net cost reflects its public mission and open access policy with 99.48% acceptance, while Saint Louis University's $27,075 represents a private research institution. Public schools like Truman State ($12,030) and UMSL ($12,323) cluster around similar price points. Private institutions command higher costs but often provide more financial aid, as seen with Washington University's $22,117 net cost despite $62,982 sticker price.

How do earnings compare across different institutional types in Missouri education programs?

Saint Louis University graduates earn the highest at $37,125, followed closely by Missouri Southern's $34,298 despite its much lower cost. UMSL shows concerning earnings at $21,964 given its public university status. Private schools like Webster University ($32,925) and Lindenwood ($30,228) fall in the middle range. The earnings spread of $15,161 suggests institutional reputation and location significantly impact graduate outcomes.

Is Truman State University worth its selective admission requirements for education majors?

Truman State accepts only 45.05% of applicants, making it the most selective public option after Missouri S&T. Its 68.40% graduation rate ranks second among public institutions, and $29,685 earnings place it solidly in the middle tier. With $12,030 net cost, Truman offers strong value for students who can gain admission. The combination of selectivity and outcomes suggests rigorous academic preparation.

Does location within Missouri affect education program value and career prospects?

Saint Louis dominates with four institutions including top earners Saint Louis University ($37,125) and Webster ($32,925), benefiting from the metro area's healthcare and corporate training opportunities. Kansas City offers UMKC with modest $12,837 costs but limited earnings data. Smaller cities like Joplin and Kirksville host strong value programs at Missouri Southern and Truman State respectively. Urban locations typically provide more internship and employment opportunities for education graduates.

Where do graduation rates indicate program quality and student success?

Washington University leads with 94.40% graduation rate, followed by Saint Louis University's 79.80% and Rockhurst's 75.60%. Among public schools, Truman State's 68.40% significantly outpaces Missouri S&T (63.60%) and UMSL (56.90%). Harris-Stowe State's 27.40% rate reflects its open-access mission serving historically underserved populations. Graduation rates correlate strongly with selectivity and institutional resources rather than program cost alone.

More Education, General Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.