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2027 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri

30 Colleges in the United States
8,795 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$35,249 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools to find the best for liberal arts general studies students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Missouri

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 11 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Truman State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Truman State University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,168. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Truman State University

2
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. Rockhurst University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $70,849 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,111. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Rockhurst University

3

Northwest Missouri State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 58 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $42,939 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Northwest Missouri State University

4

University Of Missouri Kansas City is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. About 111 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,992. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at Saint Louis Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. About 1,309 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Saint Louis Community College

6

St Charles Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Cottleville. There were roughly 570 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at St Charles Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $25,968 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for St Charles Community College

7
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University came in at #7 for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Avila University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $51,234 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Avila University

8

University Of Central Missouri placed #8 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 55 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $36,845 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Central Missouri

9

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #9 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 59 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $33,014 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Missouri State University Springfield

10

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. There were roughly 2,586 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn around $28,092 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,911. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

11

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 65 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $35,464 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,875. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Southeast Missouri State University

12

Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #12 for liberal arts general studies this year. Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hannibal. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 11 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Hannibal Lagrange College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Hannibal Lagrange College earn around $43,544 in the first couple years of their career. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Hannibal Lagrange College

13
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College came in at #13 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 321 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Jefferson College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $24,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Jefferson College

14

William Woods University came in at #14 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Fulton, William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at William Woods University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of William Woods University earn a median of $46,635 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,512. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for William Woods University

15
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College came in at #15 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Crowder College awarded about 323 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $26,643 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,752. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Crowder College

16

Columbia College Missouri landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Missouri awarded about 387 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $46,366 in their early career. Columbia College Missouri graduates carry a median of $23,309 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Columbia College Missouri

17

Southwest Baptist University earned the #17 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bolivar. Southwest Baptist University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 13 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Southwest Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Southwest Baptist University earn around $49,135 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,436 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Southwest Baptist University

18

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #18 position for liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,332. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $35,750 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Missouri St Louis

19

East Central College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. There were roughly 269 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at East Central College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of East Central College earn a median of $28,037 early in their careers. East Central College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for East Central College

20
Mineral Area College crest
Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO

Mineral Area College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. Mineral Area College awarded about 340 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,462 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Mineral Area College

21

Moberly Area Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. There were roughly 525 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Moberly Area Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $26,306 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Moberly Area Community College

22

Missouri Southern State University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Joplin. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri Southern State University awarded about 62 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,783. Missouri Southern State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Missouri Southern State University

23

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #23 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. About 495 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Ozarks Technical Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $26,787 in their early career. Ozarks Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Ozarks Technical Community College

24

Missouri Baptist University placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Missouri Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $35,595 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,154. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Missouri Baptist University

25

North Central Missouri College came in at #25 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 152 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at North Central Missouri College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $24,483. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for North Central Missouri College

Rest of the Top 30 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies ranking:

26
27
28
29
30

View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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