2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Missouri
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
St Charles Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $25,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,841. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $7,752 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,306. That is a strong return on a $10,993 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,813. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,567. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $8,911 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,092. Set against $8,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,957 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $28,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,957 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
North Central Missouri College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,660, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,273 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Missouri State University West Plains placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Plains. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,936, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,365. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $35,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $38,332 early in their careers. Set against $35,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
East Central College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of East Central College earn a median of $28,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lincoln University Missouri landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $43,382 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $21,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,382 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,106. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $36,845. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,305 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,880. That is a strong return on a $26,305 median debt.
Avila University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,014. Set against $28,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Cottey College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. Students from in state pay about $27,562 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,422 ten years after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities value ranking:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 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.
