Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Missouri

College of the Ozarks stands out among Missouri's teacher education programs with a net cost of just $7,669, nearly $5,000 less than the next cheapest option. This significant savings comes despite the school's selective 21.13% acceptance rate and strong 61.30% graduation rate. Missouri's education sector benefits from major healthcare and technology employers like Cerner and BJC HealthCare, creating demand for specialized subject area teachers in STEM and health sciences. The state's teacher preparation programs show wide cost variation, with private institutions like Missouri Valley College reaching $17,945 annually while public options like Lincoln University maintain in-state tuition at $9,290. Earnings for graduates range from $27,862 to $38,721, with University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates achieving the highest median at $35,772. The A+ Scholarship program helps Missouri residents access community college preparation courses before transferring to four-year teacher education programs, making the pathway more affordable for future educators.

Programs

$7,669 – $26,196

Net Price Range

$31,814

Avg. Program Earnings

55.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas 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	University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$12,323	$13,440	56.9%	51.1%
3	Lincoln University Jefferson City, Missouri	$12,484	$9,290	22.1%
4	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, Missouri	$12,638	$9,800	39.8%
5	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri	$12,837	$11,988	55.9%	69.5%
6	Calvary University Kansas City, Missouri	$12,860	$13,692	52.6%	63.2%
7	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532	$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
8	Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies Fayette, Missouri	$14,774	$6,960		100.0%
9	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$14,824	$10,181	57.5%	85.6%
10	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	$15,336	$9,739	49.4%	71.3%
11	William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri	$16,602	$19,890	61.6%	41.0%
12	Avila University Kansas City, Missouri	$16,939	$38,672	42.6%	67.6%
13	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
14	Missouri Valley College Marshall, Missouri	$17,945	$23,000	24.5%	61.2%
15	Cottey College Nevada, Missouri	$18,154	$26,209	61.4%	73.0%
16	Fontbonne University Saint Louis, Missouri	$18,251	$28,976	56.8%	94.4%
17	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, Missouri	$18,516	$21,100	50.3%	74.0%
18	Evangel University Springfield, Missouri	$18,705	$27,192	64.8%	67.9%
19	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$19,889	$14,130	76.2%	79.1%
20	Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, Missouri	$21,082	$28,320	51.2%	99.6%
21	Hannibal-LaGrange University Hannibal, Missouri	$21,123	$26,880	44.3%	67.1%
22	Drury University Springfield, Missouri	$21,523	$35,235	66.0%	63.4%
23	Culver-Stockton College Canton, Missouri	$22,080	$29,915	50.2%	97.0%
24	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$22,117	$62,982	94.4%	11.8%
25	William Woods University Fulton, Missouri	$22,270	$28,860	57.0%	61.5%
26	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, Missouri	$25,477	$27,140	52.5%	97.9%
27	Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, Missouri	$25,807	$33,122	48.2%	70.9%
28	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	$26,047	$27,166	71.5%	87.8%
29	Westminster College Fulton, Missouri	$26,111	$34,188	57.5%	75.3%
30	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 teacher education students?

College of the Ozarks requires all students to work on campus in exchange for tuition, earning it the nickname 'Hard Work U.' This work-study program covers most educational costs, resulting in a net price of $7,669 compared to a sticker price of $21,290. The school maintains high academic standards with a 61.30% graduation rate and accepts only 21.13% of applicants. Students graduate with minimal debt while gaining practical work experience alongside their teaching credentials.

How do public university costs compare for teacher education in Missouri?

Missouri's public universities offer teacher education programs with in-state tuition ranging from $9,024 at Missouri State University-Springfield to $13,440 at University of Missouri-St Louis. Net costs after financial aid span from $12,323 at UM-St Louis to $17,502 at Missouri State-Springfield. Public institutions generally provide better value, with graduates from University of Missouri-Kansas City earning median salaries of $35,772. Most public programs maintain acceptance rates above 70%, making admission more accessible than private alternatives.

Is teacher education a financially viable career path for Missouri graduates?

Missouri teacher education graduates earn median salaries between $27,862 and $38,721, with University of Missouri-Kansas City leading at $35,772. Student debt levels vary significantly, from $20,371 at Missouri Western State University to $26,500 at Missouri State University-Springfield. The state's growing healthcare and technology sectors create opportunities for specialized subject teachers, particularly in STEM fields. Graduation rates range from 22.10% at Lincoln University to 61.60% at William Jewell College, indicating program completion success varies by institution.

Does Missouri offer good financial aid for teacher education students?

Missouri's A+ Scholarship covers community college tuition for qualifying students, providing a pathway to four-year teacher preparation programs. Financial aid significantly reduces costs at many institutions, with University of Missouri-St Louis showing a net price of $12,323 despite $13,440 in-state tuition. Private colleges like Calvary University offer competitive aid packages, bringing costs down to $12,860 from a higher sticker price. The gap between published tuition and actual net costs ranges from minimal at some schools to substantial reductions of over $10,000 at others.

Where can students find the most selective teacher education programs in Missouri?

College of the Ozarks operates the most selective teacher education program with a 21.13% acceptance rate, followed by William Jewell College at 40.99%. These selective programs typically show higher graduation rates, with both schools achieving over 61% completion rates. University of Missouri-Kansas City balances selectivity and accessibility with a 69.48% acceptance rate while maintaining a 55.90% graduation rate. Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies accepts all applicants but focuses on working professionals and non-traditional students.

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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.