2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri
25
Ranked Colleges
9,678
Degrees Awarded
$11,700
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri
The colleges and universities below are the best for missouri liberal arts students.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Missouri
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College landed the #1 spot on the list. Columbia College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 871 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia College Missouri, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $26,668 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend Columbia College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia College
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City landed the #2 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,357 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is $6,966 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MCC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Charles Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri. Located in Cottleville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 531 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
SCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $3,248 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend SCC.
Full St Charles Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ozarks Technical Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri 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 #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ozarks Technical Community College is $7,525 for missouri liberal arts students.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Missouri State University - Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 113 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Missouri State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
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
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 137 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,702 for missouri liberal arts students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Missouri - Kansas City
University of Central Missouri came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. UCM is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 81 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, UCM has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Central Missouri
Saint Louis Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bridgeton, Missouri, and it awarded 1,372 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Saint Louis Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis Community College is $7,056 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Full Saint Louis Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 102 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, Mizzou has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,559 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Mizzou
State Fair Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. State Fair Community College is a small public school situated in Sedalia, Missouri. It awarded 429 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
State Fair Community College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend State Fair Community College is $6,607 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at State Fair Community College
Three Rivers College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri list. Three Rivers College is a small school located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri that handed out 394 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Three Rivers College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for Three Rivers College is $8,379 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Full Three Rivers College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
William Jewell College landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. This small school is located in Liberty, Missouri, and it awarded 18 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
William Jewell also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $23,307 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend William Jewell.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at William Jewell College
North Central Missouri College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #13. North Central Missouri College is a small school located in Trenton, Missouri that handed out 142 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
NCMC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $9,281 for missouri liberal arts students per year to attend North Central Missouri College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at North Central Missouri College
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri 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.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, Southeast Missouri State University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for missouri liberal arts students.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Southeast Missouri State University
Mineral Area College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #15. MAC is a small public school situated in Park Hills, Missouri. It awarded 284 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, MAC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $8,866 for missouri liberal arts students per year to attend Mineral Area College.
Full MAC Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Moberly Area Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. Moberly Area Community College is a small public school situated in Moberly, Missouri. It awarded 652 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
MACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The estimated yearly cost for MACC is $6,919 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Full Moberly Area Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 102 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $12,232 for missouri liberal arts students.
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 University of Missouri - St Louis Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Missouri Southern State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri list. Missouri Southern is a public institution located in Joplin, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, Missouri Southern has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. It costs about $9,526 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend Missouri Southern State University.
Full Missouri Southern State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Jefferson College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri list. JeffCo is a small school located in Hillsboro, Missouri that handed out 309 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
JeffCo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $7,814 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend JeffCo.
Full JeffCo Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Crowder College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri list. Crowder College is a small school located in Neosho, Missouri that handed out 283 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Crowder College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $4,761 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend Crowder College.
Full Crowder College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Lincoln University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #21. Lincoln University is a public institution located in Jefferson City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, LU Missouri has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln University is $11,583 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
Full LU Missouri Liberal Arts General Studies Report
East Central College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri list. This small school is located in Union, Missouri, and it awarded 254 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
East Central College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $7,614 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend East Central College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at East Central College
With a ranking of #23, Missouri State University - West Plains did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri list. Located in West Plains, Missouri, this small public school handed out 104 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
Missouri State West Plains did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $8,150 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend Missouri State University - West Plains.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Missouri State University - West Plains
Fontbonne University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. 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 #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” list. It costs about $15,359 for Missouri Liberal Arts students per year to attend Fontbonne University.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Fontbonne University
Saint Louis University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 34 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our missouri liberal arts students list, SLU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SLU is $25,039 for Missouri Liberal Arts students.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Louis University
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