2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in Missouri
[Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art Education Schools
Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for art education in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $23,168. Art Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Ozarks earned it the #2 place for art education. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,042. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Southeast Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,748 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Missouri Western State University one of the best values for art education. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Art Education graduates carry a median of $24,704 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $41,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #5 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $38,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #6 position for value in art 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $37,460. Set against $25,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for value in art education this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $39,237 early in their careers. Set against $30,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Evangel University landed the #8 spot for art education value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $30,175. Art Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southwest Baptist University placed #9 among the best values for art education. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Art Education graduates carry a median of $25,762 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $35,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
More Art Education Rankings
View All Art Education Rankings >
Notes and References
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 Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
