2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Missouri
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in Missouri. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,942 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,199. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #4 makes Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054. Students borrow a median of $26,262 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $31,726. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cottey College earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. In-state tuition and fees average $27,562. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $35,422 ten years out. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in secondary education this year. 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. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,375. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $32,394 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $31,173. Set against $32,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $37,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,939. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
William Jewell College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Liberty. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,950. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from William Jewell College generally make around $48,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Jewell College admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,302 early in their careers. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $37,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Drury University earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Drury University earn a median of $31,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Park University earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Park University generally make around $36,667. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baptist Bible College placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,641 ten years after entry.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Hannibal Lagrange College placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,880. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,250. Secondary Education graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $32,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hannibal Lagrange College admits about 73% of applicants.
Westminster College Missouri placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Fulton, Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,214. Students borrow a median of $25,335 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $37,667. Set against $25,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Missouri Baptist University came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,068. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
