2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Missouri
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
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2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Missouri Southern State University tops our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $36,345. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri Western State University one of the best values for teacher education. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,352. Teacher Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $33,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at North Central Missouri College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,934. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #5 place for teacher education. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $38,947. Set against $24,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in teacher 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. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
William Jewell College placed #7 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,950. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $48,588. That is a strong return on a $25,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $37,907. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University earned the #9 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $39,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #10 among the best values for teacher education. 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. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,732 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $36,667 early in their careers. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $45,270. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
More Teacher Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
