2026 Best Value Education Schools in Missouri

1

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Leading the list is Crowder College, our #1 best value for education in Missouri. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $19,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,606. Early-career education graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Education graduates carry a median of $7,199 in student loans. Education graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,199 median debt.

4

Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jefferson College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,664. Education graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.

5

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for education. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,119. Early-career education graduates make about $21,220. That is a strong return on a $10,119 median debt.

6

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,507. Early-career education graduates make about $44,755. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.

7

North Central Missouri College
Trenton, MO

North Central Missouri College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Education graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.

8

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,490. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

9

Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO

Mineral Area College placed #9 among the best values for education. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,570. Education graduates carry a median of $11,362 in student loans. Education graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $46,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,362 median debt.

10

State Fair Community College
Sedalia, MO

State Fair Community College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career education graduates make about $36,451. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.

12

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff, MO

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,000. Education graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $30,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

Missouri Southern State University earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,839. Early-career education graduates make about $36,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

14

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #14 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Education graduates carry a median of $23,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $45,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

15

Missouri State University West Plains
West Plains, MO

Missouri State University West Plains came in at #15 for value in education this year. Set in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,936, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Missouri State University West Plains earn a median of $42,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

17

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #17 for value in education this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $41,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

18

East Central College
Union, MO

East Central College placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,062. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from East Central College generally make around $37,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Education graduates carry a median of $24,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,331. Set against $24,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri placed #20 among the best values for education. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Typical student debt for education graduates is $30,259. Education graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $33,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $22,409 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $36,008. That is a strong return on a $22,409 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Education graduates carry a median of $26,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $40,862. That is a strong return on a $26,204 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #23 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Students borrow a median of $26,425 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $32,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.

24

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
Springfield, MO

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,262. Early-career education graduates make about $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri came in at #25 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,629. Early-career education graduates make about $38,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.