by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Missouri? We have ranked 113 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 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 113 schools to produce this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
After analyzing 113 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:
St Charles Community College tops our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money 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.
You'll get strong value at College Of The Ozarks, which ranked #2 this year. 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%.
Out of the 113 schools in Missouri in this year's value ranking, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #3 spot. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #4 place in Missouri. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Jefferson College one of the best values in Missouri. 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.
Truman State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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%.
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.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Crowder College placed #9 among the best values 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.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #10 among the best values in Missouri. 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.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
State Fair Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #13 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 landed the #14 spot for value in Missouri this year. 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.
University Of Central Missouri placed #15 among the best values in Missouri. 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.
Missouri Western State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. 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.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Springfield, MO, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054. The median program debt is $26,560. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies alumni report median earnings of $40,694 a decade after entry. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri State University West Plains ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Linn State Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 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.
East Central College landed the #20 spot for value in Missouri this year. 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.
Harris Stowe State University landed the #21 spot for value in Missouri this year. This public school is set in Saint Louis, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt is $32,394. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. 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.
North Central Missouri College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. 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.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayette, MO. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,991. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Cottey College placed #25 among the best values in Missouri. Located in Nevada, MO, Cottey College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,562. Typical student debt is $12,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,422. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cottey College admits about 69% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 113 ranked schools only.
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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 113 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
