2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Missouri. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,841. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,752 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $26,643 early in their careers. Set against $7,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moberly Area Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $26,306. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Jefferson College, which ranked #5. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,911. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $28,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,911 median debt.
State Fair Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $26,386. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,957 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
North Central Missouri College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of North Central Missouri College earn a median of $24,483 early in their careers. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mineral Area College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,570. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,273. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $25,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,273 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,783. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Missouri State University West Plains landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,936, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,365. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $35,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
East Central College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of East Central College earn a median of $28,037 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $43,382. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $21,282. That is a strong return on a $43,382 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,875. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,464. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $36,845. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Harris Stowe State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Students borrow a median of $26,305 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,305 median debt.
Avila University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,014. That is a strong return on a $28,371 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cottey College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,562. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Median earnings reach $35,422 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cottey College admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
