by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Missouri, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **12** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 12 graduate schools across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Washington University In St Louis tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Missouri. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Early-career graduates earn a median of $68,303. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #2 makes Rockhurst University one of the top graduate schools in Missouri. Based in Kansas City, MO, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rockhurst University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,966. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at Saint Louis University Main Campus earned it the #3 place in Missouri. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Early-career graduates earn a median of $65,599. Typical student debt is $26,586.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #4 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Missouri. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $21,818.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the top graduate schools in Missouri. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Early-career graduates earn a median of $74,532. Missouri University Of Science And Technology students take on a median of $25,187 in debt.
A T Still University Of Health Sciences landed the #6 spot in Missouri this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kirksville, MO. A T Still University Of Health Sciences graduates report median early-career earnings of $89,586.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #7 among the best graduate schools in Missouri. This public school is set in Kansas City, MO. University Of Missouri Kansas City posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $60,324. Graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #8 among the best graduate schools in Missouri. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Median early-career earnings reach $67,909. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete a degree here.
Lindenwood University landed the #9 spot in Missouri this year. Located in Saint Charles, MO, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lindenwood University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,197. Typical student debt is $28,663.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. University Of Missouri St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,079. Graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Kansas City, MO, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates 64% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,530. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,308. Graduates carry a median of $15,559 in student loans.
Evangel University landed the #12 spot in Missouri this year. Set in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Evangel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Evangel University graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,039. Typical student debt is $24,876.
William Woods University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Fulton, MO, William Woods University is a private not-for-profit institution. William Woods University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Students from in state pay about $30,340 in tuition and fees. William Woods University graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,635. William Woods University students take on a median of $25,512 in debt.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Missouri Baptist University graduates 46% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete a degree here.
Southwest Baptist University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Bolivar, MO, Southwest Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Southwest Baptist University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,135. Students borrow a median of $24,436 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
