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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 with a $7,669 net price that undercuts every other Missouri teacher education program by thousands of dollars. This Christian liberal arts college in Point Lookout achieves this through its work-study program, where students contribute labor instead of cash. Most Missouri teacher preparation programs cluster between $12,000-18,000 annually, creating a clear divide between the ultra-affordable outlier and mainstream options. The earnings spread tells an interesting story too, ranging from $27,862 at Southwest Baptist University to $38,721 at University of Missouri-Columbia. Missouri's education sector benefits from stable demand, with major school districts in Kansas City and St. Louis requiring specialized subject area teachers. The state's A+ Scholarship program also creates pathways for community college students to transfer into four-year teacher preparation programs, supporting workforce development in rural and urban districts alike.
30
Programs
$7,669 – $26,196
Net Price Range
$31,814
Avg. Program Earnings
55.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $28,055 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $12,837 $35,772 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
3 $12,323 $33,993 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
4 $12,484 $30,650 $9,290 22.1%
5 $12,638 $30,409 $9,800 39.8%
6 $14,824 $34,135 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
7 $14,532 $30,538 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
8 $14,774 $29,374 $6,960 100.0%
9 $19,889 $38,721 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
10 $15,336 $29,341 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
11 $18,516 $35,420 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
12 $17,502 $31,585 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
13 $18,705 $31,988 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
14 $21,082 $27,862 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
15 $25,477 $29,374 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
16 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
17 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
18 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
19 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
20 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
21 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
22 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
23 $12,860 $13,692 52.6% 63.2%
24 $18,154 $26,209 61.4% 73.0%
25 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
26 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
27 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
28 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
29 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
30 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable compared to other Missouri teacher education programs?

College of the Ozarks charges a net price of just $7,669 while maintaining a 61.3% graduation rate. The school's work-study program requires students to work on campus in exchange for tuition coverage. This model creates savings of over $5,000 compared to the next cheapest option, though the 21.13% acceptance rate makes admission highly competitive.

How do public universities compare to private schools for teacher education value in Missouri?

Public universities generally offer better value, with schools like University of Missouri-Kansas City providing a $12,837 net cost and $35,772 in earnings. Private schools range from $14,774 to $25,477 in net costs. However, some private institutions like Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies accept 100% of applicants, offering guaranteed admission for career changers.

Is University of Missouri-Columbia worth the higher cost for teacher education students?

Missouri-Columbia commands the highest earnings at $38,721 annually, justifying its $19,889 net price for many students. The school also boasts a 76.2% graduation rate, significantly above the state average. With relatively low debt of $16,250, graduates typically see strong returns on their investment in the state's flagship teacher preparation program.

Does graduation rate vary significantly among Missouri's teacher education programs?

Graduation rates span from 22.1% at Lincoln University to 76.2% at University of Missouri-Columbia, showing dramatic variation. College of the Ozarks achieves 61.3% despite its unique work-study requirements. Several schools cluster around 50-57%, suggesting that institutional support and student preparation vary considerably across Missouri's teacher education market.

Where can students find the lowest in-state tuition for teacher education in Missouri?

Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies offers the lowest published in-state rate at $6,960 annually. However, public universities like University of Missouri-Kansas City charge $11,988 in-state while Lincoln University charges just $9,290. These published rates don't reflect financial aid, which can significantly reduce actual costs for qualifying 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.