2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in Missouri
[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in reading teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among reading teacher education schools in Missouri. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $23,741. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $21,748. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $34,206. Set against $21,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for reading teacher education. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,741 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $37,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Park University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $44,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $39,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Lindenwood University earned the #7 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $32,500. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $39,580. Set against $32,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Evangel University placed #8 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Students borrow a median of $30,175 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,175 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Drury University landed the #9 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $37,267. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Webster University placed #10 among the best values for reading teacher education. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,939. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Webster University earn a median of $54,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More Reading Teacher Education Rankings
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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 5 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.
