2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Missouri
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Louis Community College the best value for a degree in accounting in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,424. Accounting graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,082. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,281. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,660. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $60,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Accounting graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $21,300 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $58,368. Set against $21,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $22,350 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $59,567. That is a strong return on a $22,350 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $53,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University came in at #9 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,000. Accounting graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $47,202 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $32,831. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,449. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #11 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #12 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,591 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $56,565. That is a strong return on a $25,591 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #13 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $25,418. Accounting graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $45,023 early in their careers. Set against $25,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #14 among the best values for accounting. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Students borrow a median of $28,461 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $50,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Accounting graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $55,360 early in their careers. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #16 position for value in accounting this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $35,584. Accounting graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $33,025 early in their careers. Set against $35,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $20,707 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $64,957. Set against $20,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #18 for value in accounting this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College placed #19 among the best values for accounting. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $27,892. Early-career accounting graduates make about $44,318. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,553. Accounting graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri earned the #21 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,276. Students borrow a median of $25,379 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $46,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Baptist University landed the #22 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,377 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,377 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #23 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $65,416. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $26,820. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $63,137. Set against $26,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
