2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Missouri
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
For return on investment in general education, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. General Education graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies one of the best values for general education. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $38,945. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #4 place for general education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $33,449 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $58,247. Set against $33,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. 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 $21,818 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. General Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. General Education graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,436. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $60,463. That is a strong return on a $24,436 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Hannibal Lagrange College earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,880. Students borrow a median of $21,705 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hannibal Lagrange College generally make around $37,941. That is a strong return on a $21,705 median debt. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary placed #10 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,530. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,559. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary admits about 96% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $36,244. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Webster University landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Students borrow a median of $27,100 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $34,546. Set against $27,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
More General Education Rankings
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
