2027 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for value in Missouri. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the value program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Value graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $42,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #4 place for value. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $68,911. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Value graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Park University generally make around $62,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.