2026 Best Value Value Schools in Missouri
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Missouri. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Value graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $49,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Park University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,112. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Park University generally make around $62,141. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $42,399. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Value graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $68,911. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
