2026 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Missouri
[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education grade specific education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education grade specific students.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education grade specific, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
Jefferson College tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools in Missouri. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $13,664. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $41,455. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education grade specific will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $21,850. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,345 early in their careers. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,019. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
College Of The Ozarks placed #6 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $32,676 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #7 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,942. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University came in at #8 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Students borrow a median of $21,352 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $33,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #9 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $30,259. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $33,262. That is a strong return on a $30,259 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. 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. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $37,061. Set against $22,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #11 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $20,431 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $37,066 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #13 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $24,199. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. Set against $24,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #14 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $26,262. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $31,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Park University earned the #15 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $25,732. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Park University earn a median of $36,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #16 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Missouri Valley College came in at #17 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,892 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $44,318. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #18 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $37,302. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University landed the #19 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $39,941. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Fontbonne University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $31,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Evangel University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $36,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Baptist University earned the #22 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $27,348. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Hannibal Lagrange College placed #23 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,880. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $32,927. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Drury University landed the #24 spot for teacher education grade specific 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. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Drury University earn a median of $31,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Stephens College came in at #25 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Students borrow a median of $33,326 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $55,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephens College admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education grade specific value ranking:
More Teacher Education Grade Specific Rankings
View All Teacher Education Grade Specific Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
