by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Missouri? We have ranked 48 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 48 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
After analyzing 48 schools in Missouri to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. Read more about our methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Explore the best values below:
Leading the list is St Charles Community College, our #1 best value in Missouri. Located in Cottleville, MO, St Charles Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Median earnings reach $42,422 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #2 place in Missouri. Crowder College is a public school based in Neosho, MO. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt is $9,887. Crowder College alumni report median earnings of $35,987 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 48 schools in Missouri in this year's value ranking, Saint Louis Community College landed the #3 spot. Located in Bridgeton, MO, Saint Louis Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,325. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #4 place in Missouri. Based in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University has an acceptance rate of 84%.
Out of the 48 schools in Missouri in this year's value ranking, College Of The Ozarks landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Point Lookout, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,592 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public school based in Kansas City, MO. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $12,281. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,796. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Moberly, MO, Moberly Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt is $12,507. Moberly Area Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,537 a decade after entry. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College landed the #8 spot for value in Missouri this year. This public school is set in Hillsboro, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,782 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #9 among the best values in Missouri. Ozarks Technical Community College is a public school based in Springfield, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $36,455 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #10 spot for value in Missouri this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a public school based in Saint Louis, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri St Louis students take on a median of $25,943 in debt. University Of Missouri St Louis alumni report median earnings of $53,037 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. University Of Missouri Kansas City students take on a median of $23,741 in debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City alumni report median earnings of $59,637 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted.
State Fair Community College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Located in Sedalia, MO, State Fair Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,562 ten years after entry. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #13 spot for value in Missouri this year. Located in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Median earnings reach $42,620 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 97% of those who apply are admitted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,957 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
North Central Missouri College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Trenton, MO, North Central Missouri College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,837. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #16 spot for value in Missouri this year. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a public school based in Poplar Bluff, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. The median program debt is $11,350. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,442. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Mineral Area College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Park Hills, MO, Mineral Area College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,570. The median program debt is $11,175. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,352. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Linn, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. Linn State Technical College alumni report median earnings of $55,901 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,042 median debt.
Missouri Western State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Missouri Western State University students take on a median of $24,362 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,647 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University West Plains came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in West Plains, MO. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,922. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Lincoln University Missouri landed the #21 spot for value in Missouri this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a public school based in Jefferson City, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Typical student debt is $32,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,463 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Union, MO, East Central College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. East Central College students take on a median of $12,062 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,916. Set against $12,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school based in Maryville, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete their program here. Northwest Missouri State University alumni report median earnings of $47,885 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,030 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. About 74% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. University Of Central Missouri alumni report median earnings of $49,560 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 48 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
