2024 Best Grad Schools in Missouri for Master's Degrees
There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which grad school to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Master's Degree Colleges in Missouri ranking is part of that endeavor.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of Grad School Matters
We analyzed 30 grad schools across Missouri to determine which have the best master's degree programs. Our ranking for the best grad schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Average Early-Career Salaries
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a master's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Student Loan Borrowing
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that graduate students take on while they are working on their master's degree.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Master's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
To learn more, visit our graduate school ranking methodology page.
Custom Rankings
Are you more interested in the top master's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, you may want to check out our other
college rankings.
Thinking about continuing your education further? Check out our Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking.
Top Master's Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:
2,343
Master's Degrees Awarded
$64,992
Average Early-Career Earnings
Our analysis found Washington University in St Louis to be the best grad school for master’s degrees in Missouri in this year’s ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 2,343 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a master’s degree from WUSTL make an average of $64,992 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Washington University in St Louis Report
1,553
Master's Degrees Awarded
$65,447
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 30 master’s degree schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,553 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a master’s degree from Maryville U make an average of $65,447 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Maryville University of Saint Louis Report
413
Master's Degrees Awarded
$97,332
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. The school came in at #3 in Missouri on this year’s best master’s degree schools ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 413 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $97,332 during the early years of their career.
Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Report
1,423
Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,652
Average Early-Career Earnings
The excellent master’s degree programs at University of Missouri - Columbia helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Missouri. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,423 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Mizzou make an average of $52,652 a year.
Full University of Missouri - Columbia Report
2,578
Master's Degrees Awarded
$64,279
Average Early-Career Earnings
A rank of #5 on our Best Master’s Degree in Missouri list means Webster University is a great place for students working on their degree. Webster is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,578 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Webster is $64,279 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Webster University
868
Master's Degrees Awarded
$62,518
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #6, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 868 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from SLU is $62,518 during the early years of their career.
Full Saint Louis University Report
370
Master's Degrees Awarded
$55,897
Average Early-Career Earnings
Rockhurst University landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 370 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Rockhurst make an average of $55,897 a year.
Read full report on Rockhurst University
719
Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,396
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 719 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from UMSL make an average of $52,396 a year.
Full University of Missouri - St Louis Report
1,292
Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,506
Average Early-Career Earnings
Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. This large public school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 1,292 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a master’s degree from Missouri State go into careers with an average salary of $52,506 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Missouri State University - Springfield
1,102
Master's Degrees Awarded
$65,644
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #10, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 1,102 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $65,644 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on University of Missouri - Kansas City
595
Master's Degrees Awarded
$48,470
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #11, Park University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Parkville, Missouri. It awarded 595 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Park University make an average of $48,470 a year.
Learn More About Park University
66
Master's Degrees Awarded
$36,604
Average Early-Career Earnings
Stephens College landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 66 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a master’s degree from Stephens go into careers with an average salary of $36,604 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Stephens College
845
Master's Degrees Awarded
$42,518
Average Early-Career Earnings
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 845 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Northwest make an average of $42,518 a year.
Read full report on Northwest Missouri State University
170
Master's Degrees Awarded
$43,706
Average Early-Career Earnings
Truman State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Truman State is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 170 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,706 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Truman State University
816
Master's Degrees Awarded
$45,478
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #15, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 816 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Lindenwood University is $45,478 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Lindenwood University
137
Master's Degrees Awarded
$42,795
Average Early-Career Earnings
Southwest Baptist University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Bolivar, Missouri, and it awarded 137 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Southwest Baptist University is $42,795 during the early years of their career.
Full Southwest Baptist University Report
243
Master's Degrees Awarded
$42,664
Average Early-Career Earnings
Missouri Baptist University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #17. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 243 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from MBU make an average of $42,664 a year.
Full Missouri Baptist University Report
1,027
Master's Degrees Awarded
$49,773
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Central Missouri came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. UCM is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,027 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a master’s degree from UCM make an average of $49,773 per year during the early years of their career.
Full University of Central Missouri Report
140
Master's Degrees Awarded
$49,116
Average Early-Career Earnings
Fontbonne University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 140 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a master’s degree from Fontbonne University go into careers with an average salary of $49,116 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Fontbonne University
390
Master's Degrees Awarded
$42,206
Average Early-Career Earnings
William Woods University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Located in Fulton, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 390 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from William Woods make an average of $42,206 a year.
Full William Woods University Report
211
Master's Degrees Awarded
$46,963
Average Early-Career Earnings
Columbia College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 211 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a master’s degree from Columbia College Missouri make an average of $46,963 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Columbia College Report
445
Master's Degrees Awarded
$43,154
Average Early-Career Earnings
Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #22. Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 445 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a master’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University go into careers with an average salary of $43,154 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Southeast Missouri State University
125
Master's Degrees Awarded
$48,489
Average Early-Career Earnings
Avila University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Avila is located in Kansas City, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 125 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Avila is $48,489 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Avila University
87
Master's Degrees Awarded
$43,520
Average Early-Career Earnings
Drury University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 87 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Drury University make an average of $43,520 a year.
Full Drury University Report
91
Master's Degrees Awarded
$36,805
Average Early-Career Earnings
Missouri Western State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Missouri Western State University is a small public school located in Saint Joseph, Missouri that handed out 91 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Missouri Western make an average of $36,805 a year.
Full Missouri Western State University Report
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