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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Missouri

16 Colleges in the United States
6,455 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$30,190 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Missouri

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Missouri.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Kansas City the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 112 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,992 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

2

Saint Louis Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. About 1,181 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Saint Louis Community College

3

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at St Charles Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 537 liberal arts degrees were awarded at St Charles Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $25,968 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at St Charles Community College

4

A rank of #4 makes Missouri State University Springfield one of the top schools for liberal arts. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 65 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $33,014 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Missouri State University Springfield

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #5. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City awarded about 2,375 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $28,092. Typical student debt for the program is $8,911. Get the full liberal arts details for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

6
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College came in at #6 for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. About 346 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Jefferson College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250. Get the full liberal arts details for Jefferson College

7

Columbia College Missouri ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. About 43% of students finish within six years. Columbia College Missouri awarded about 38 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,366. Students borrow a median of $23,309 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Columbia College Missouri

8

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $38,332 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $35,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Missouri St Louis

9

Moberly Area Community College came in at #9 for liberal arts this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. About 559 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Moberly Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Moberly Area Community College earn around $26,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,993. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Moberly Area Community College

10

Missouri Southern State University earned the #10 position for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Joplin. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,783 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full liberal arts details for Missouri Southern State University

11
Mineral Area College crest
Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO

Mineral Area College came in at #11 for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. Mineral Area College awarded about 309 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $25,462. Students borrow a median of $8,273 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Mineral Area College

12

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earned the #12 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. About 184 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn around $28,750 in the first couple years of their career. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff graduates carry a median of $8,957 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff

13

State Fair Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts this year. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. There were roughly 459 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at State Fair Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from State Fair Community College earn around $26,386 in the first couple years of their career. State Fair Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from State Fair Community College

14

North Central Missouri College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. North Central Missouri College awarded about 118 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from North Central Missouri College earn around $24,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for North Central Missouri College

15
Cottey College crest
Cottey College
Nevada, MO

Cottey College placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit university. Cottey College graduates 39% of students within six years. About 10 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Cottey College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Cottey College

16

Harris Stowe State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This small public university is located in the city of Saint Louis. About 28% of students finish within six years. Harris Stowe State University awarded about 21 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Harris Stowe State University earn around $31,173 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Harris Stowe State University

17
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri placed #17 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Lincoln University Missouri graduates 20% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln University Missouri in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $21,282. Typical student debt for the program is $43,382. Read more about the liberal arts program at Lincoln University Missouri

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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