Cheapest Education Colleges in Missouri

Missouri Southern State University stands out with an unusually high earning potential of $34,298 despite charging just $11,653 net annually for its Education General program. This creates an attractive value proposition in a state where education graduates typically earn between $21,964 and $34,298. The 20 programs across Missouri range from $11,653 to $25,807, with public universities dominating the affordable end of the spectrum. Missouri's education sector benefits from major healthcare employers like BJC HealthCare and technology companies like Cerner, creating opportunities for education professionals in corporate training and human resources development. The state's A+ Scholarship program further reduces costs by covering community college tuition, making the pathway to four-year education programs more accessible. Truman State University offers strong value at $12,030 with a 68.40% graduation rate, while the University of Missouri system provides options in multiple cities.

Programs

$11,653 – $27,075

Net Price Range

$30,244

Avg. Program Earnings

56.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Education, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Missouri Southern State University Joplin, Missouri	$11,653	$8,400	38.3%	99.5%
2	Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri	$12,030	$9,470	68.4%	45.1%
3	University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$12,323	$13,440	56.9%	51.1%
4	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri	$12,837	$11,988	55.9%	69.5%
5	Harris-Stowe State University Saint Louis, Missouri	$13,459	$6,442	27.4%
6	Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri	$13,773	$14,278	63.6%	81.5%
7	Central Christian College of the Bible Moberly, Missouri	$13,866	$11,200	40.9%
8	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
9	Avila University Kansas City, Missouri	$16,939	$38,672	42.6%	67.6%
10	Missouri Valley College Marshall, Missouri	$17,945	$23,000	24.5%	61.2%
11	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516	$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
12	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705	$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
13	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
14	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082	$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
15	Culver-Stockton College Canton, Missouri	$22,080	$29,915	50.2%	97.0%
16	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117	$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
17	William Woods University Fulton, Missouri	$22,270	$28,860	57.0%	61.5%
18	Rockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri	$23,165	$43,420	75.6%	66.5%
19	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, Missouri	$25,477	$27,140	52.5%	97.9%
20	Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, Missouri	$25,807	$33,122	48.2%	70.9%
21	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,047	$27,166	71.5%	87.8%
22	Webster University Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,196	$30,730	61.1%	55.1%
23	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, Missouri	$27,075	$53,244	79.8%	84.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Missouri Southern's high earnings despite its low cost?

Missouri Southern State University graduates earn $34,298 annually while paying just $11,653 in net costs, creating the best earnings-to-cost ratio among Missouri education programs. The school's 99.48% acceptance rate suggests accessibility, while its location in Joplin provides access to both Missouri and Kansas job markets. This combination of affordability and earning potential makes it an outlier in the state's education market.

How do public and private education program costs compare in Missouri?

Public universities dominate the most affordable options, with five of the six cheapest programs coming from state institutions. Missouri Southern leads at $11,653, followed by Truman State at $12,030 and UMSL at $12,323. Private institutions like Central Christian College of the Bible break into the affordable range at $13,866, but most private schools charge significantly more.

Is the University of Missouri system worth the higher costs?

The University of Missouri-Columbia charges $19,889 but delivers a 76.20% graduation rate, the highest among all education programs listed. UMSL offers the lowest cost at $12,323 but shows concerning earnings of just $21,964. UMKC falls in between at $12,837 with a 55.90% graduation rate, suggesting variable value across the system campuses.

Does Missouri's A+ Scholarship affect four-year education program costs?

The A+ Scholarship covers community college tuition, creating a pathway to reduce overall education costs through transfer programs. Students can complete general education requirements at community colleges before transferring to four-year institutions like Missouri Southern or Truman State. This strategy can significantly reduce the total cost of an education degree while maintaining access to quality programs.

What graduation rates should students expect from affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically among affordable options, from Harris-Stowe's 27.40% to Truman State's 68.40%. Missouri Southern combines affordability with a moderate 38.30% graduation rate, while Central Christian College achieves 40.90% despite being private. Students should weigh cost against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

More Education, General 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.