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Urban Colleges in Missouri

42 schools in Missouri. See our methodology.

Missouri's urban colleges present stark contrasts in outcomes and selectivity. Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing achieves a perfect 100% graduation rate with just 146 students but accepts only 25.81% of applicants. Meanwhile, the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy produces graduates earning $137,047 annually, the highest in the state. Net costs vary dramatically from $8,165 at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City to $33,596 for pharmacy programs. These urban institutions align closely with Missouri's healthcare economy, where employers like BJC HealthCare and Cerner create demand for specialized medical and technical training. Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri-Columbia serve as major research centers, while technical schools like Ranken prepare students for the state's growing defense and manufacturing sectors. The Missouri A+ Scholarship program makes community college affordable, with Metropolitan Community College serving over 10,000 students annually. Graduation rates span from 29.1% to 100%, reflecting the range from open-access community colleges to highly selective professional programs that feed directly into Missouri's key industries.
42
Schools
$18,305
Avg. Net Price
$48,919
Avg. Earnings
55.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Missouri

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Small 146 $25,189 100.0%
2 City-Midsize 634 100.0%
3 City-Large 274 $33,596 75.5%
4 City-Midsize 23,118 $19,889 76.2%
5 City-Large 6,618 $12,837 55.9%
6 City-Large 1,695 $16,952 50.6%
7 City-Large 1,702 $23,165 75.6%
8 City-Large 791 $25,140 70.0%
9 City-Large 170 $12,860 52.6%
10 City-Small 2,372 $12,638 39.8%
11 City-Midsize 1,205 $18,705 64.8%
12 City-Midsize 13,407 $17,502 57.3%
13 City-Large 7,324 $27,075 79.8%
14 City-Large 10,412 $8,165 29.1%
15 City-Small 6,588 $14,532 55.7%
16 City-Small 4,748 $18,516 50.3%
17 City-Midsize 5,359 $24,051 45.7%
18 City-Midsize 694 $13,375 32.1%
19 City-Midsize 8,194 $7,340 31.9%
20 City-Small 612 $17,931 67.9%
21 City-Large 95 $20,095 80.0%
22 City-Midsize 342 $21,887 38.2%
23 City-Midsize 1,367 $21,523 66.0%
24 City-Large 1,086 $13,459 27.4%
25 City-Small 1,357 $12,484 22.1%
26 City-Midsize 353 $23,277 46.5%
27 City-Large 782 $29,555 64.9%
28 City-Large 1,192 $16,939 42.6%
29 City-Midsize 79 $14,903 65.6%
30 City-Small 3,101 $11,653 38.3%
31 City-Midsize 150 $20,383 27.5%
32 City-Large 488 $19,024 55.9%
33 City-Large 179 $12,861 59.5%
34 City-Large 249
35 City-Large 426
36 City-Large 188 $6,709
37 City-Midsize 213 $18,354
38 City-Large 240 $28,094 56.9%
39 City-Large
40 City-Large
41 City-Large
42 City-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Missouri's urban nursing programs so selective?

Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing accepts just 25.81% of applicants while maintaining a 100% graduation rate with 146 students. Cox College in Springfield also achieves 100% graduation with 33.33% acceptance. These programs maintain small cohorts and rigorous standards to meet clinical placement requirements and prepare graduates for Missouri's healthcare sector including BJC HealthCare.

How much do graduates from Missouri's urban colleges typically earn?

Earnings range from $36,455 to $137,047 annually. University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy graduates earn the highest at $137,047, while Saint Louis University graduates average $70,783. Technical programs like Ranken Technical College produce graduates earning $55,955, reflecting strong demand in Missouri's manufacturing and defense industries.

Is the University of Missouri-Columbia worth the cost for urban students?

With a net cost of $19,889 and 76.20% graduation rate, Mizzou offers solid value among Missouri's urban options. The 23,118 students benefit from extensive research opportunities, and graduates earn $63,403 annually. The 79.13% acceptance rate makes it accessible while maintaining academic standards for Missouri's largest urban university.

Does Missouri's A+ Scholarship make community college affordable?

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City demonstrates this with a net cost of just $8,165 for 10,412 students. The A+ Scholarship covers tuition and fees at participating community colleges, making programs accessible despite a 29.1% graduation rate. This supports Missouri's workforce development in technical fields and healthcare.

Where can students find the most affordable urban college options?

The most affordable options include Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City at $8,165 and Missouri Western State University at $12,638. Calvary University costs $12,860 with 170 students, while University of Missouri-Kansas City charges $12,837 for 6,618 students. These provide access to Missouri's urban job markets without excessive debt.

What role do religious institutions play in Missouri's urban college market?

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary serves 791 students with 70% graduation rate and 94.29% acceptance, while Calvary University enrolls 170 students. Evangel University in Springfield graduates 64.80% of its 1,205 students. These institutions offer faith-based education while preparing graduates for Missouri's service sectors and nonprofit organizations.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.