Best Value Romance Languages Colleges in Missouri

Washington University in St Louis breaks the mold for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs in Missouri with its staggering 94.40% graduation rate, nearly 20 points above any other school in the state. While most programs cluster between $15,000-$27,000 in net costs, the earnings spread tells a more complex story, ranging from $19,455 to $41,007 annually. The University of Missouri-Kansas City leads post-graduation earning potential at over $41,000, while maintaining moderate costs at $12,837 net price. Missouri's global business connections through companies like Cerner and agricultural giant Monsanto create unexpected opportunities for Romance language specialists in international trade, technical translation, and corporate communications. Public universities dominate the value equation here, with four of the top five spots going to state institutions that keep costs reasonable while delivering solid career outcomes.

Programs

$7,669 – $27,075

Net Price Range

$29,591

Avg. Program Earnings

59.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 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	$41,007	$11,988	55.9%	69.5%
2	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$28,960	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
3	Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri	$12,030	$19,455	$9,470	68.4%	45.1%
4	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$29,685	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
5	Rockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri	$23,165	$28,212	$43,420	75.6%	66.5%
6	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, Missouri	$27,075	$30,228	$53,244	79.8%	84.7%
7	Park University Parkville, Missouri	$15,529		$16,400	30.0%
8	William Woods University Fulton, Missouri	$22,270		$28,860	57.0%	61.5%
9	William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri	$16,602		$19,890	61.6%	41.0%
10	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111		$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
11	Webster University Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,196		$30,730	61.1%	55.1%
12	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117		$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
13	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532		$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
14	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082		$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
15	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336		$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
16	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	$7,669		$21,290	61.3%	21.1%
17	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824		$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
18	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, Missouri	$12,638		$9,800	39.8%
19	Missouri Southern State University Joplin, Missouri	$11,653		$8,400	38.3%	99.5%
20	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516		$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
21	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705		$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
22	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523		$35,235	66.0%	63.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive graduation rate gap between Washington University and other Missouri programs?

Washington University achieves a 94.40% graduation rate compared to the state average around 60% for Romance Languages programs. The school's highly selective 11.76% acceptance rate means students arrive exceptionally well-prepared. However, this comes with trade-offs in accessibility and net costs reaching $22,117 annually.

How do public universities compare to private options for program value?

Missouri's public universities offer compelling value with net costs between $12,030-$19,889 versus private schools ranging $15,529-$27,075. Truman State delivers the lowest net cost at $12,030 while maintaining a solid 68.40% graduation rate. The University of Missouri-Kansas City combines reasonable costs with the highest earning potential at $41,007.

Does location within Missouri affect career prospects for Romance language graduates?

Kansas City and St. Louis dominate the earning potential market, with UMKC graduates earning $41,007 and Saint Louis University graduates earning $30,228. These metropolitan areas offer more international business opportunities and cultural institutions. Rural programs like Truman State in Kirksville show lower earnings at $19,455 despite strong academic performance.

What makes Truman State University stand out among the affordable options?

Truman State combines the lowest net cost at $12,030 with a competitive 68.40% graduation rate and highly selective 45.05% acceptance rate. The school attracts serious students seeking quality education without major debt burdens. However, graduates face more limited regional job markets with earnings averaging $19,455.

Is the debt burden manageable for students in these programs?

Private universities show concerning debt levels, with Saint Louis University graduates carrying $26,000 in debt and Rockhurst University graduates at $18,938. Public options provide better debt management, though specific debt data isn't available. Given the earning ranges of $19,455-$41,007, careful program selection becomes important for financial sustainability.

More Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 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.