2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Missouri
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
St Charles Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in Missouri. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,500. General Studies graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,752 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $26,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,752 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $26,787. Set against $12,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,957. General Studies graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $28,750 early in their careers. Set against $8,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri State University West Plains one of the best values for general studies. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,936, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Missouri State University West Plains earn a median of $28,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Missouri College landed the #6 spot for general studies value 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. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,638. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $24,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,273 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $25,462 early in their careers. Set against $8,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,037. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,585. General Studies graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $35,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $51,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,305 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,880. Set against $26,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia College Missouri placed #13 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,276. General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,366. Set against $23,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Baptist University placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Students borrow a median of $29,154 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $35,595. That is a strong return on a $29,154 median debt. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
