Best Value Marketing Colleges in Missouri

College of the Ozarks delivers the most affordable marketing education in Missouri at just $7,669 net cost, while Washington University graduates earn $78,896 annually. This gap reflects Missouri's marketing market, where Cerner's healthcare technology and Monsanto's agricultural marketing create varied career paths requiring different skill sets. Public universities like Northwest Missouri State ($14,824) and Southeast Missouri State ($14,532) offer middle-ground options with acceptance rates above 85%. Private institutions command higher prices, with Saint Louis University reaching $27,075 net cost but maintaining a 79.80% graduation rate. Missouri's A+ Scholarship program helps students start affordably at community colleges before transferring. The state's mix of healthcare giants like BJC HealthCare, agricultural corporations, and defense contractors provides marketing graduates with opportunities across traditional and digital channels. Net costs range from under $8,000 to over $27,000, while post-graduation earnings span $33,993 to nearly $79,000, creating clear value distinctions among the 15 programs analyzed.

Programs

$7,669 – $27,075

Net Price Range

$43,415

Avg. Program Earnings

55.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Marketing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117	$78,896	$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
2	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824	$41,342	$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
3	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$42,682	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
4	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532	$38,289	$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
5	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$41,995	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
6	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523	$47,260	$35,235	66.0%	63.4%
7	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516	$36,549	$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
8	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705	$33,993	$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
9	Columbia College Columbia, Missouri	$24,051	$39,153	$24,326	45.7%
10	Stephens College Columbia, Missouri	$23,277	$33,993	$28,200	46.5%	64.2%
11	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111		$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
12	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082		$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
13	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, Missouri	$27,075		$53,244	79.8%	84.7%
14	Park University Parkville, Missouri	$15,529		$16,400	30.0%
15	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	$7,669		$21,290	61.3%	21.1%
16	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, Missouri	$12,638		$9,800	39.8%
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	Harris-Stowe State University Saint Louis, Missouri	$13,459		$6,442	27.4%
20	Fontbonne University Saint Louis, Missouri	$18,251		$28,976	56.8%	94.4%
21	Culver-Stockton College Canton, Missouri	$22,080		$29,915	50.2%	97.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks such an outlier for marketing program costs?

College of the Ozarks operates on a work-study model where students work on campus to cover educational expenses, resulting in a net cost of just $7,669. The school maintains a 61.30% graduation rate and accepts only 21.13% of applicants. This unique approach makes it the most affordable option among Missouri's marketing programs, though admission is highly competitive.

How do public university marketing programs compare in terms of value?

Missouri's public universities cluster around $14,000-$17,500 in net costs with solid career outcomes. Northwest Missouri State leads public schools with $41,342 average earnings and a 57.50% graduation rate at $14,824 net cost. University of Central Missouri offers the highest public school earnings at $42,682 for a $15,336 investment. Southeast Missouri State provides the lowest public option at $14,532 with $38,289 in graduate earnings.

Does Washington University justify its premium pricing for marketing students?

Washington University's $22,117 net cost produces the highest marketing graduate earnings at $78,896 annually, nearly double most other programs. The school maintains a 94.40% graduation rate and keeps average debt to $17,500. With an 11.76% acceptance rate, admission is highly selective, but the return on investment appears strong for those who gain entry.

What role does Missouri's business environment play in marketing career prospects?

Missouri hosts major employers like Cerner in healthcare technology, Monsanto in agricultural marketing, and BJC HealthCare in medical services, creating varied opportunities for marketing graduates. The state's mix of Fortune 500 companies and agricultural businesses provides pathways in both B2B and consumer marketing. Graduate earnings ranging from $33,993 to $78,896 reflect this variety in employer types and market segments.

How do private college marketing programs perform compared to public options?

Private colleges show mixed results, with Drury University achieving $47,260 graduate earnings and a 66% graduation rate for $21,523 net cost. However, programs like Evangel University and Stephens College produce lower earnings of $33,993 despite similar pricing. Private schools generally offer smaller class sizes and more personalized attention, but public universities often provide better value ratios for marketing education in Missouri.

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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.