2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Missouri
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is St Charles Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,911 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,993. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $26,306. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $26,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $26,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,168. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Students borrow a median of $8,957 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,750. That is a strong return on a $8,957 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,992. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $32,394 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $31,173. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.
Mineral Area College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,273. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $25,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,273 median debt.
Missouri State University West Plains came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,936, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of East Central College earn a median of $28,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,845. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
North Central Missouri College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,638 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,483. That is a strong return on a $9,638 median debt.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $35,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $38,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $35,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,014. Set against $28,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,436. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $49,135. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
