Cheapest Journalism Colleges in Missouri

College of the Ozarks stands out among Missouri journalism programs with a net cost of just $7,669, significantly lower than most private schools in the state. This gap highlights the varied pricing market across Missouri's 12 journalism programs, where costs range from under $8,000 to over $26,000 annually. The state's media market offers strong opportunities for journalism graduates, particularly with major employers like Cerner and BJC HealthCare requiring communications professionals. Missouri State University graduates earn $27,377 on average, while University of Missouri-Columbia alumni see higher earnings at $38,197, reflecting the connection between program reputation and career outcomes in the state's growing healthcare and technology sectors.

Programs

$7,669 – $26,196

Net Price Range

$31,994

Avg. Program Earnings

59.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Journalism 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	Lincoln University Jefferson City, Missouri	$12,484	$9,290	22.1%
3	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824	$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
4	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
5	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516	$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
6	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705	$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
7	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
8	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523	$35,235	66.0%	63.4%
9	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117	$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
10	Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, Missouri	$25,807	$33,122	48.2%	70.9%
11	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111	$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
12	Webster University Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,196	$30,730	61.1%	55.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable for journalism students?

College of the Ozarks offers a unique work-study program that significantly reduces costs, resulting in a net price of $7,669 despite having a sticker price of $21,290. The school maintains high standards with a 21.13% acceptance rate and 61.30% graduation rate.

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

Public schools like Missouri State University charge $9,024 in-state tuition while private options range dramatically from College of the Ozarks at $21,290 to Washington University at $62,982. The net cost gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs spans over $18,000 annually.

Does University of Missouri-Columbia justify its higher cost for journalism?

Mizzou graduates earn $38,197 on average, the highest among Missouri journalism programs, and maintain strong career prospects with a 76.20% graduation rate. The school's net cost of $19,889 reflects this earning potential and program reputation.

Where do Missouri journalism graduates typically find employment?

Missouri's healthcare sector, led by BJC HealthCare, and technology companies like Cerner create demand for communications professionals. The state's agricultural industry and defense contractors also require journalism skills for corporate communications and public relations roles.

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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.