2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Missouri
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) 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 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is St Charles Community College, our #1 best value for general studies in Missouri. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $26,787 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Crowder College one of the best values for general studies. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at State Fair Community College earned it the #4 place for general studies. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,386. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff, which ranked #5. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,957 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $28,750. That is a strong return on a $8,957 median debt.
Mineral Area College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Students borrow a median of $8,273 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $25,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University West Plains placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Plains. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,936, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Missouri State University West Plains generally make around $28,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $35,464 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
North Central Missouri College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $24,483. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. 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. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,560 median debt.
Avila University placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,585. General Studies graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bolivar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,436. Early-career general studies graduates make about $49,135. That is a strong return on a $24,436 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Students borrow a median of $23,309 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William Woods University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Fulton, William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,340 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,512. Early-career general studies graduates make about $46,635. That is a strong return on a $25,512 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,154 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $35,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
