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Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

College of the Ozarks stands out with a net price of just $7,669 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, making it Missouri's most affordable option by a significant margin. This Point Lookout institution accepts only 21.13% of applicants, creating an unusual combination of selectivity and affordability. Missouri's public universities dominate the affordable end of the spectrum, with eight of the top ten cheapest programs offered by state schools. The earnings spread tells an equally compelling story, ranging from $24,035 to $43,798 for graduates in these fields. Liberal arts graduates often find opportunities in Missouri's major sectors, including healthcare administration roles at BJC HealthCare and communications positions with agricultural giants like Monsanto. The state's A+ Scholarship program further reduces costs by covering community college coursework, allowing students to complete general education requirements before transferring. Public institutions like Missouri Southern State University offer nearly open admission at 99.48% acceptance rates, while maintaining net costs under $12,000 annually.
38
Programs
$7,669 – $33,596
Net Price Range
$33,407
Avg. Program Earnings
55.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

38 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
3 $12,030 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
4 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
5 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
6 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
7 $13,375 $8,044 32.1%
8 $13,459 $6,442 27.4%
9 $13,773 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
10 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
11 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
12 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
13 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
14 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
15 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
16 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
17 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
18 $18,094 $9,000 81.8%
19 $18,154 $26,209 61.4% 73.0%
20 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
21 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
22 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
23 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
24 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
25 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
26 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
27 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
28 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
29 $23,165 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
30 $23,277 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
31 $24,051 $24,326 45.7%
32 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
33 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
34 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
35 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
36 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
37 $27,075 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
38 $33,596 $31,920 75.5% 91.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so much cheaper than other Missouri liberal arts programs?

College of the Ozarks operates on a work-study model where students work on campus to offset educational costs, resulting in a net price of $7,669 compared to the next cheapest option at $11,653. The college maintains high academic standards with a 61.30% graduation rate despite its low costs. However, admission is highly competitive with only 21.13% of applicants accepted, making it accessible primarily to academically strong students who qualify for the work program.

How do public and private school costs compare for liberal arts majors in Missouri?

Missouri's public universities consistently offer lower net prices, with nine of the ten cheapest options being state schools. Public institutions range from $11,653 to $15,336 in net costs, while private schools span $7,669 to $16,939. The outlier is College of the Ozarks, a private nonprofit that costs less than any public option due to its unique work program structure.

Is there a connection between school cost and graduate earnings in Missouri liberal arts programs?

William Jewell College demonstrates that higher costs can correlate with better earnings, charging $16,602 net but producing graduates who earn $43,798 annually. However, the pattern isn't consistent across all schools. University of Central Missouri graduates earn $34,908 with a net cost of $15,336, while Lincoln University graduates earn just $29,250 despite a lower net price of $12,484.

Does admission selectivity affect program quality at Missouri's affordable liberal arts schools?

Admission rates vary dramatically among affordable options, from College of the Ozarks' selective 21.13% to Missouri Southern's nearly open 99.48% acceptance rate. Truman State University maintains both affordability at $12,030 net cost and moderate selectivity at 45.05% admission rate while achieving a strong 68.40% graduation rate. The data suggests that selectivity alone doesn't determine program outcomes, as schools with higher acceptance rates can still produce successful graduates.

Where do liberal arts graduates find employment opportunities in Missouri's job market?

Missouri's healthcare sector, anchored by BJC HealthCare, offers numerous administrative and patient services roles for liberal arts graduates. Agricultural companies like Monsanto seek communications and human resources professionals with broad educational backgrounds. Defense contractors and technology firms such as Cerner also recruit liberal arts majors for project management and client relations positions, with graduates earning between $24,035 and $43,798 depending on their institution and career path.

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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.