ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Missouri

25 Colleges in the United States
8,518 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,310 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 4
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 24.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AA in Liberal Arts" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AA in Liberal Arts" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in General Studies" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in General Studies" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Missouri

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1

University Of Missouri Kansas City is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 112 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,992. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

2

Northwest Missouri State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #2. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $42,939 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Northwest Missouri State University

3

A rank of #3 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 1,181 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $25,841. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Saint Louis Community College

4

St Charles Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. St Charles Community College awarded about 537 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,968 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for St Charles Community College

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 84 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $36,845. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Central Missouri

6

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $33,014 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,371 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Missouri State University Springfield

7

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #7 for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 117 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $35,464 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Southeast Missouri State University

8
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Avila University awarded about 11 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Avila University

9

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #9 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. There were roughly 2,375 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $28,092. Typical student debt for the program is $8,911. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

10
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Jefferson College awarded about 346 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $24,813. Jefferson College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Jefferson College

11
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Neosho. About 291 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Crowder College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Crowder College earn around $26,643 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,752 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Crowder College

12

Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #12 for liberal arts general studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hannibal. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Hannibal Lagrange College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $43,544 early in their careers. Hannibal Lagrange College graduates carry a median of $21,705 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Hannibal Lagrange College

13

Columbia College Missouri placed #13 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Missouri graduates 43% of students within six years. About 449 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $46,366 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,309. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Columbia College Missouri

14

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #14 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,332. Typical student debt for the program is $35,750. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

15

East Central College came in at #15 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 280 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at East Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from East Central College generally make around $28,037. East Central College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at East Central College

16

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. About 472 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Ozarks Technical Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $26,787 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,567. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Ozarks Technical Community College

17

Moberly Area Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Moberly Area Community College awarded about 559 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $26,306. Moberly Area Community College graduates carry a median of $10,993 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Moberly Area Community College

18

Missouri Southern State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 85 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Missouri Southern State University earn around $36,783 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Missouri Southern State University

19
Mineral Area College crest
Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO

Mineral Area College earned the #19 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Park Hills. About 311 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Mineral Area College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $25,462 early in their careers. Mineral Area College graduates carry a median of $8,273 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Mineral Area College

20

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earned the #20 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. About 384 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn around $28,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,957 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff

21

State Fair Community College placed #21 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Sedalia. State Fair Community College awarded about 459 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $26,386. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for State Fair Community College

22

North Central Missouri College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 121 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at North Central Missouri College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $24,483. North Central Missouri College graduates carry a median of $9,638 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from North Central Missouri College

23

Missouri Baptist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Missouri Baptist University awarded about 25 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $35,595 in their early career. Missouri Baptist University graduates carry a median of $29,154 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Missouri Baptist University

24
Cottey College crest
Cottey College
Nevada, MO

Cottey College earned the #24 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 12 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Cottey College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Cottey College

25

Harris Stowe State University landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. About 21 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Harris Stowe State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $31,173. Typical student debt for the program is $32,394. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Harris Stowe State University

Rest of the Top 28 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts general studies this year:

26
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO
27
28

ADBLOCK #173
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options