Cheapest Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Missouri

College of the Ozarks offers Design and Applied Arts students an unusual deal: a net price of just $7,669 despite being a private institution that accepts only 21% of applicants. This stark contrast highlights Missouri's affordable options for creative students, where costs range from under $8,000 to $24,051 across 15 programs. Public universities like Missouri Western State deliver strong value at $12,638 net cost, while graduates entering Missouri's growing healthcare and technology sectors can expect starting salaries between $28,598 and $33,637. The state's expanding creative economy, driven by companies like Cerner's user experience teams and regional marketing agencies, creates opportunities for design graduates. Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts demonstrates another approach with an 80% graduation rate and guaranteed acceptance, though at $20,095 net cost. Missouri's A+ Scholarship program further reduces expenses for students beginning at community colleges before transferring to complete their design degrees.

Programs

$7,669 – $29,555

Net Price Range

$31,364

Avg. Program Earnings

56.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	$7,669	$21,290	61.3%	21.1%
2	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, Missouri	$12,638	$9,800	39.8%
3	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri	$12,837	$11,988	55.9%	69.5%
4	Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies Springfield, Missouri	$13,375	$8,044	32.1%
5	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824	$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
6	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
7	Park University Parkville, Missouri	$15,529	$16,400	30.0%
8	William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri	$16,602	$19,890	61.6%	41.0%
9	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
10	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516	$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
11	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705	$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
12	Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts Saint Louis, Missouri	$20,095	$12,968	80.0%	100.0%
13	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082	$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
14	Hannibal-LaGrange University Hannibal, Missouri	$21,123	$26,880	44.3%	67.1%
15	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523	$35,235	66.0%	63.4%
16	Culver-Stockton College Canton, Missouri	$22,080	$29,915	50.2%	97.0%
17	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117	$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
18	William Woods University Fulton, Missouri	$22,270	$28,860	57.0%	61.5%
19	Stephens College Columbia, Missouri	$23,277	$28,200	46.5%	64.2%
20	Columbia College Columbia, Missouri	$24,051	$24,326	45.7%
21	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,047	$27,166	71.5%	87.8%
22	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111	$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
23	Webster University Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,196	$30,730	61.1%	55.1%
24	Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, Missouri	$29,555	$43,550	64.9%	58.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable for Design and Applied Arts students?

College of the Ozarks operates on a work-study model where students work on campus to offset tuition costs. The net price of $7,669 represents one of the lowest costs for any private college program in the nation. Despite the low cost, the school maintains high academic standards with only 21% of applicants gaining admission.

How do public university costs compare to private schools for design programs in Missouri?

Public universities average around $12,000-$17,500 in net costs, while private schools range from $7,669 to $21,523. Missouri Western State University offers the best public value at $12,638 net cost with in-state tuition of just $9,800. University of Central Missouri provides another strong option at $15,336 net cost with graduates earning $33,637 on average.

What career earnings can Design and Applied Arts graduates expect in Missouri?

Early career earnings for Missouri design graduates range from $28,598 to $33,637 annually. University of Central Missouri graduates earn the highest at $33,637, while Missouri Western State graduates start at $28,598. These salaries reflect opportunities in Missouri's healthcare, technology, and agricultural sectors where design skills support marketing and user interface development.

Does Missouri offer any state financial aid for design students?

Missouri's A+ Scholarship covers community college tuition for eligible students who maintain good grades and attendance. Students can complete general education requirements affordably, then transfer to four-year programs. This pathway significantly reduces the total cost of earning a Design and Applied Arts degree. The program requires students to graduate from designated high schools and meet specific criteria.

Which Missouri design programs have the highest graduation rates?

Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts leads with an 80% graduation rate, though it accepts all applicants. Among traditional programs, Evangel University achieves 64.8% graduation rates with 67% acceptance. Drury University reaches 66% graduation rates while maintaining more selective 63% acceptance rates, demonstrating strong student support systems.

More Design and Applied Arts 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.