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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Missouri

25 Ranked Colleges
9,678 Degrees Awarded
$9,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across Missouri, there were 9,678 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,467 and $18,885 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Missouri

1
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Charles Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k. St Charles Community College is a public institution located in Cottleville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 531 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend St Charles Community College is $2,536 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at SCC

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 2,357 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is $6,795 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Liberal Arts General Studies Report

3

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, State Fair Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Sedalia, Missouri, this small public school awarded 429 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

State Fair Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend State Fair Community College is $6,195 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at State Fair Community College

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMSL has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $8,324 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Liberal Arts General Studies Report

5
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Louis Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 1,372 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saint Louis Community College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $7,142 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Louis Community College

6

With a ranking of #6, Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 629 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

OTC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OTC is $6,851 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at OTC

7

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 102 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,386 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Mizzou

8
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Crowder College
Neosho, Missouri

Crowder College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Crowder College is a small public school situated in Neosho, Missouri. It awarded 283 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Crowder College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for Crowder College is $4,335 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Crowder College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

9

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 137 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $13,751 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Liberal Arts General Studies Report

10

Moberly Area Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Moberly Area Community College is a small school located in Moberly, Missouri that handed out 652 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, MACC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MACC is $6,459 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Moberly Area Community College

11
Three Rivers College crest
Three Rivers College
Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Three Rivers College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, this small public school handed out 394 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Three Rivers College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend Three Rivers College is $8,567 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Three Rivers College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

12

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 113 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

13
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Jefferson College
Hillsboro, Missouri

Jefferson College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k list. Jefferson College is located in Hillsboro, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 309 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

JeffCo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend Jefferson College is $7,094 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Jefferson College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

14
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 132 students in 2020-2021.

Southeast Missouri State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $11,406 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

15

With a ranking of #15, Missouri Southern State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri Southern is a small public school situated in Joplin, Missouri. It awarded 90 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri Southern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri Southern is $7,731 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Missouri Southern State University

16
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Lincoln University
Jefferson City, Missouri

Lincoln University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. LU Missouri is a small public school situated in Jefferson City, Missouri. It awarded 11 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

LU Missouri also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln University is $12,725 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LU Missouri Liberal Arts General Studies Report

17

North Central Missouri College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NCMC is a public institution located in Trenton, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NCMC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NCMC is $8,063 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at NCMC

18
MAC crest
Mineral Area College
Park Hills, Missouri

With a ranking of #18, Mineral Area College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k list. MAC is a public institution located in Park Hills, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 284 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mineral Area College is $8,481 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Mineral Area College

19
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large school located in Warrensburg, Missouri that handed out 81 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UCM also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $12,120 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCM.

Full University of Central Missouri Liberal Arts General Studies Report

20
East Central College crest
East Central College
Union, Missouri

East Central College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Union, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 254 students in 2020-2021.

East Central College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $7,411 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Central College.

Full East Central College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

21

Missouri State University - West Plains did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in West Plains, Missouri, and it awarded 104 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Missouri State West Plains has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State West Plains is $7,659 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Missouri State University - West Plains Liberal Arts General Studies Report

22
William Jewell crest
William Jewell College
Liberty, Missouri

William Jewell College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Liberty, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

William Jewell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for William Jewell is $17,820 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at William Jewell College

23
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Fontbonne University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

Fontbonne University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fontbonne University is $11,443 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fontbonne University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

24
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Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SLU also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $16,755 for missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at SLU

25
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia College is a medium-sized school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 871 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia College Missouri has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Missouri is $23,958 for Missouri Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia College Missouri

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