2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
St Charles Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Missouri. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,841. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,911 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $28,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,911 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,993. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $26,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $26,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Students borrow a median of $7,752 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $26,643. That is a strong return on a $7,752 median debt.
State Fair Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,386. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Truman State University earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,168. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,957. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $28,750. Set against $8,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Southern State University placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Students borrow a median of $8,273 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $25,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University West Plains landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Missouri State University West Plains earn a median of $28,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $36,845 early in their careers. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
North Central Missouri College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,638. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of North Central Missouri College earn a median of $24,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,638 median debt.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,560. Liberal Arts 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.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $35,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,332. That is a strong return on a $35,750 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $35,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,234. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,014. That is a strong return on a $28,371 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,436. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $49,135. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
