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Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Missouri

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

College of the Ozarks stands out dramatically among Missouri teacher education programs with a net cost of just $7,669, nearly $4,000 less than the next cheapest option. This gap highlights the stark difference between private and public education costs in the state, where public universities like Missouri Southern State University charge $11,653 after aid despite having a sticker price of only $8,400. Missouri's teacher education graduates earn between $27,698 and $37,073 annually, positioning them well for the state's education sector that serves rural farming communities and urban centers like St. Louis and Kansas City. The University of Missouri-Kansas City leads earnings at $37,073, reflecting demand for educators in metropolitan areas where major employers like Cerner and BJC HealthCare create family-friendly job markets. With graduation rates spanning from 22.1% at Lincoln University to 61.6% at William Jewell College, students face widely different completion prospects depending on their choice of institution.
37
Programs
$7,669 – $26,196
Net Price Range
$30,870
Avg. Program Earnings
52.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 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 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
4 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
5 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
6 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
7 $12,860 $13,692 52.6% 63.2%
8 $13,375 $8,044 32.1%
9 $13,459 $6,442 27.4%
10 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
11 $14,774 $6,960 100.0%
12 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
13 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
14 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
15 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
16 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
17 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
18 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
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 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
25 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
26 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
27 $21,887 $16,230 38.2%
28 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
29 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
30 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
31 $23,165 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
32 $23,277 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
33 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
34 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
35 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
36 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
37 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so much cheaper than other teacher education programs?

College of the Ozarks charges a net cost of $7,669 compared to $11,653 at Missouri Southern State University, the next cheapest option. The private college uses a work-study program where students work on campus to offset tuition costs. Despite the low net price, the school maintains selectivity with only a 21.13% acceptance rate and achieves a solid 61.30% graduation rate.

How do graduation rates vary among Missouri's cheapest teacher education programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from 22.1% at Lincoln University to 61.6% at William Jewell College among the most affordable programs. College of the Ozarks and William Jewell both achieve over 61% graduation rates despite being among the cheapest options. Public universities show mixed results, with Northwest Missouri State University reaching 57.5% while Harris-Stowe State University manages only 27.4%.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings for teachers?

University of Missouri-Kansas City charges $12,837 but produces the highest-earning graduates at $37,073 annually. However, Central Methodist University costs more at $14,774 but yields lower earnings of just $27,698. Northwest Missouri State University demonstrates strong value at $14,824 with graduates earning $32,780, showing that mid-range programs can deliver competitive outcomes.

Where do Missouri teacher education graduates find the best job opportunities?

Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas offer the strongest earning potential, with University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates earning $37,073 annually. Rural areas throughout Missouri also need educators, particularly in agricultural communities where teachers serve farming families. The state's defense contractors and healthcare systems like BJC HealthCare create stable family-oriented job markets that value qualified teachers.

Is student debt a major concern for Missouri teacher education graduates?

Average debt loads range from $15,000 at Central Methodist University to $30,259 at Lincoln University among programs reporting debt data. Most graduates carry debt between $19,000 and $24,000, which represents a manageable burden given starting salaries around $30,000. Missouri Southern State University graduates have relatively low debt at $19,504 while earning $32,270 annually.

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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.