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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Missouri

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

College of the Ozarks stands out among Missouri's teacher education programs with an extraordinary net cost of just $7,669, making it the most affordable option despite being a private institution. This represents a massive savings compared to other private schools in the state, where costs can reach over $18,000. Missouri's teacher education programs serve a state where major employers like BJC HealthCare and Cerner create demand for skilled educational professionals who can train healthcare workers and corporate teams. Earnings for graduates range from $27,698 to $37,073, with public universities generally offering the best return on investment. The University of Missouri-Kansas City leads in graduate earnings at $37,073 while maintaining a reasonable net cost of $12,837. However, acceptance rates vary dramatically, from College of the Ozarks' selective 21.13% to Central Methodist University's open admission policy at 100%. Missouri's A+ Scholarship program, which covers community college tuition, creates additional pathways for future educators to minimize debt before transferring to four-year programs.
37
Programs
$7,669 – $26,196
Net Price Range
$30,870
Avg. Program Earnings
52.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $28,381 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $12,837 $37,073 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
3 $11,653 $32,270 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
4 $12,323 $30,907 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
5 $12,484 $30,409 $9,290 22.1%
6 $12,638 $30,570 $9,800 39.8%
7 $13,375 $29,913 $8,044 32.1%
8 $14,824 $32,780 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
9 $15,529 $32,391 $16,400 30.0%
10 $15,336 $30,475 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
11 $18,251 $35,276 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
12 $14,532 $27,995 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
13 $14,774 $27,698 $6,960 100.0%
14 $18,705 $33,410 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
15 $17,502 $30,076 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
16 $18,516 $31,346 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
17 $19,889 $32,245 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
18 $23,165 $35,060 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
19 $21,523 $29,913 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
20 $21,082 $29,033 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
21 $22,080 $30,305 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
22 $22,270 $29,322 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
23 $21,123 $26,933 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
24 $26,111 $31,495 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
25 $26,047 $31,133 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
26 $25,807 $29,374 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
27 $25,477 $27,698 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
28 $13,459 $6,442 27.4%
29 $23,277 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
30 $21,887 $16,230 38.2%
31 $12,860 $13,692 52.6% 63.2%
32 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
33 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
34 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
35 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
36 $18,154 $26,209 61.4% 73.0%
37 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable for teacher education students?

College of the Ozarks requires students to work 15 hours per week on campus in exchange for free tuition, resulting in a net cost of only $7,669. This work-study model makes it the most affordable teacher education program in Missouri, even compared to public universities. The school maintains high academic standards with just a 21.13% acceptance rate. Graduates earn an average of $28,381, providing solid returns on the minimal investment.

How do public and private university costs compare for teacher education in Missouri?

Public universities generally offer better value, with net costs ranging from $11,653 at Missouri Southern State to $17,502 at Missouri State University-Springfield. Private institutions typically cost more, with Evangel University reaching $18,705 in net costs. However, College of the Ozarks breaks this pattern at $7,669, while Fontbonne University commands $18,251 but delivers higher earnings at $35,276. Public schools also tend to have higher acceptance rates, averaging around 80% compared to more selective private options.

Which Missouri teacher education programs offer the highest graduate earnings?

The University of Missouri-Kansas City leads with graduate earnings of $37,073, followed by Fontbonne University at $35,276. These higher-earning programs tend to be in major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and St. Louis. Northwest Missouri State University also performs well at $32,780 despite its rural Maryville location. The earnings range across all programs spans from $27,698 to $37,073, showing significant variation based on program focus and geographic location.

Does student debt vary significantly among Missouri teacher education programs?

Student debt levels show considerable variation, from a low of $15,000 at Central Methodist University to a high of $30,259 at Lincoln University. Most programs fall within the $19,000-$27,000 range, which aligns with national averages for education majors. Public universities generally produce lower debt burdens, with Missouri Southern State at $19,504 and Missouri Western at $19,493. Private institutions like Evangel University can result in higher debt at $27,000, though this varies by individual financial circumstances.

Where should students focus if they want the best graduation rates in teacher education?

Evangel University leads with a 64.80% graduation rate, followed closely by College of the Ozarks at 61.30% and Northwest Missouri State at 57.50%. These higher graduation rates often correlate with more selective admissions and stronger student support services. Lincoln University shows the lowest graduation rate at 22.10%, while many public regional universities cluster around 40-50%. Students should consider both graduation rates and program costs when evaluating their options, as some schools with moderate graduation rates offer excellent value.

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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.