2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Missouri
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
For return on investment in general education, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. 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. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,741. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $74,532. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $38,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,449 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $58,247 early in their careers. Set against $33,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the best values for general education. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. General Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Baptist University earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Students borrow a median of $24,436 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,463. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,880 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans. 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. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,530 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans. General Education graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $55,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. General Education graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $36,244 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Webster University placed #12 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,100. Early-career general education graduates make about $34,546. Set against $27,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More General Education Rankings
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
