Best Value Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Colleges in Missouri

Missouri's health services programs show stark contrasts in both cost and career outcomes. University of Missouri-Kansas City offers health sciences training for just $12,837 net annually, while Saint Louis University charges $27,075 for similar preparation. The earnings gap proves equally telling, with Missouri State University-Springfield graduates earning $42,682 compared to $30,409 at Drury University's continuing education program. Public universities dominate the value equation, with four of the top five most affordable options coming from state institutions. This pattern reflects Missouri's growing healthcare sector, where major employers like BJC HealthCare and Cerner create steady demand for allied health professionals. The state's A+ Scholarship program further reduces costs for students starting at community colleges before transferring. Graduation rates vary dramatically across the 20 programs, from Washington University's 94.4% to Bryan University's 27.5%, suggesting that institutional support matters as much as program content. Students can expect median debt loads around $22,000 to $26,000, though some programs like Rockhurst University report just $19,500.

Programs

$7,669 – $27,075

Net Price Range

$34,909

Avg. Program Earnings

58.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri	$12,837	$37,640	$11,988	55.9%	69.5%
2	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$42,682	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
3	Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies Springfield, Missouri	$13,375	$30,409	$8,044	32.1%
4	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$33,459	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
5	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$33,624	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
6	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523	$30,409	$35,235	66.0%	63.4%
7	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, Missouri	$27,075	$36,141	$53,244	79.8%	84.7%
8	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824		$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
9	Bryan University Springfield, Missouri	$20,383		$15,868	27.5%
10	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111		$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
11	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117		$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
12	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532		$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
13	Stephens College Columbia, Missouri	$23,277		$28,200	46.5%	64.2%
14	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082		$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
15	Rockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri	$23,165		$43,420	75.6%	66.5%
16	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	$7,669		$21,290	61.3%	21.1%
17	Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, Missouri	$25,807		$33,122	48.2%	70.9%
18	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,047		$27,166	71.5%	87.8%
19	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516		$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
20	Fontbonne University Saint Louis, Missouri	$18,251		$28,976	56.8%	94.4%
21	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705		$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
22	Culver-Stockton College Canton, Missouri	$22,080		$29,915	50.2%	97.0%
23	Cottey College Nevada, Missouri	$18,154		$26,209	61.4%	73.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Missouri State University-Springfield stand out for health sciences value?

Missouri State delivers the highest graduate earnings at $42,682 annually while maintaining reasonable costs at $17,502 net price. The program combines strong career outcomes with a 57.3% graduation rate and 92.56% acceptance rate. Students typically graduate with $22,375 in debt, well below many private alternatives.

How do public versus private health services programs compare in Missouri?

Public universities consistently offer better value, with net prices ranging from $12,837 to $19,889 compared to private schools at $13,375 to $27,075. Public programs also show more consistent graduation rates, typically between 49% and 76%. The earnings advantage goes to public Missouri State at $42,682 versus most private programs under $37,000.

Is the University of Missouri-Kansas City worth considering for health sciences?

UMKC provides strong value at $12,837 net cost with graduates earning $37,640 annually. The 55.9% graduation rate falls in the middle range, while the 69.48% acceptance rate offers reasonable admission odds. Students typically carry $24,630 in debt, offset by strong earning potential in Kansas City's healthcare market.

Does Washington University justify its premium pricing for health programs?

Washington University charges significantly more at $22,117 net price but delivers an outstanding 94.4% graduation rate. However, earnings data wasn't available to assess career outcomes. The 11.76% acceptance rate makes admission highly competitive, while the program serves students seeking elite academic environments.

Where can students find the most affordable health sciences education in Missouri?

Drury University's continuing education program offers the lowest net price at $13,375, though graduation rates reach only 32.1%. Traditional four-year options include UMKC at $12,837 and Southeast Missouri State at $14,532. Public universities generally provide better value than private institutions for budget-conscious students.

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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.