Cheapest Finance and Financial Management Services Colleges in Missouri

Missouri Western State University stands out with the state's lowest net cost at $12,638 for finance students, offering an affordable path into an industry where major employers like Cerner and BJC HealthCare drive demand for financial professionals. The gap between public and private options reaches significant proportions, with some private schools costing nearly double their public counterparts. Southeast Missouri State University graduates earn $38,289 annually while carrying $21,497 in debt, reflecting the practical challenges facing new finance professionals. Missouri's A+ Scholarship program helps students start their finance education at community colleges before transferring to four-year programs. The state's 20 finance programs show graduation rates ranging from 24.5% at Missouri Valley College to 76.2% at University of Missouri-Columbia, highlighting the importance of choosing programs with strong completion records in this competitive field.

Programs

$12,638 – $27,075

Net Price Range

$48,944

Avg. Program Earnings

54.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, Missouri	$12,638	$9,800	39.8%
2	Harris-Stowe State University Saint Louis, Missouri	$13,459	$6,442	27.4%
3	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532	$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
4	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824	$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
5	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
6	Park University Parkville, Missouri	$15,529	$16,400	30.0%
7	Avila University Kansas City, Missouri	$16,939	$38,672	42.6%	67.6%
8	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
9	Missouri Valley College Marshall, Missouri	$17,945	$23,000	24.5%	61.2%
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	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
13	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082	$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
14	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523	$35,235	66.0%	63.4%
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	Columbia College Columbia, Missouri	$24,051	$24,326	45.7%
18	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,047	$27,166	71.5%	87.8%
19	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111	$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
20	Webster University Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,196	$30,730	61.1%	55.1%
21	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, Missouri	$27,075	$53,244	79.8%	84.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Missouri Western State University the most affordable finance program in the state?

Missouri Western achieves the lowest net cost at $12,638 through a combination of reasonable tuition and substantial financial aid. The in-state tuition sits at just $9,800, making it accessible for Missouri residents. Finance graduates from the program earn $39,741 annually with manageable debt loads of $19,381. The 39.8% graduation rate reflects the school's focus on working students who often attend part-time.

How do public university costs compare to private colleges for finance students in Missouri?

Public universities offer significantly better value, with net costs ranging from $12,638 to $19,889 compared to private schools that can reach $22,080 or higher. State schools like Southeast Missouri State and University of Central Missouri keep in-state tuition under $10,000. Private institutions like Avila University charge $38,672 in tuition alone. The cost difference often exceeds $10,000 annually between public and private options.

Is the earning potential worth the investment at Missouri's cheaper finance programs?

The data shows mixed results depending on the specific program chosen. Northwest Missouri State graduates earn $48,198 with a net cost of $14,824, delivering strong return on investment. However, Southeast Missouri State graduates earn just $38,289 despite reasonable program costs. Drury University produces the highest earners at $52,607, though students pay $21,523 in net costs. The earnings range from $38,289 to $52,607 across reporting schools.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Missouri finance programs?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates, though exceptions exist. University of Missouri-Columbia leads with 76.2% graduation rate at $19,889 net cost. Southwest Baptist University achieves 51.2% completion despite costing $21,082. However, Park University shows only 30% graduation rate at $15,529, proving cost alone doesn't guarantee success. Missouri Valley College struggles with just 24.5% completion rate despite charging $17,945.

Where do Missouri finance graduates typically find employment opportunities?

Missouri's finance graduates benefit from the state's healthcare, agriculture, and defense sectors that require financial expertise. Major employers like Cerner provide technology-focused financial roles, while BJC HealthCare offers healthcare finance positions. The state's agricultural base creates demand for commodity trading and agricultural finance specialists. Defense contractors and the growing Kansas City financial services sector provide additional career paths for program graduates.

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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.