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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Missouri

22 Colleges in the United States
8,518 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$32,310 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Kansas City the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 112 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,992. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

2

A rank of #2 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the top schools for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. This large public university is located in the town of Maryville. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 46 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $42,939 in their early career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Northwest Missouri State University

3

Saint Louis Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgeton. About 1,181 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Saint Louis Community College earn around $25,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Saint Louis Community College

4

St Charles Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 537 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at St Charles Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $25,968. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for St Charles Community College

5

University Of Central Missouri is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Missouri awarded about 84 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $36,845 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Central Missouri

6

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 65 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,014. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $28,371 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Missouri State University Springfield

7

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #7 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 117 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $35,464 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,875. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Southeast Missouri State University

8
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Avila University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Avila University graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Avila University

9

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #9 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. About 2,375 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $28,092 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,911 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

10
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College earned the #10 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Jefferson College awarded about 346 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $24,813 early in their careers. Jefferson College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Jefferson College

11
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College earned the #11 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 291 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Crowder College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $26,643. Typical student debt for the program is $7,752. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Crowder College

12

Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #12 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Hannibal Lagrange College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $43,544 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,705. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Hannibal Lagrange College

13

Columbia College Missouri earned the #13 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. There were roughly 449 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $46,366 early in their careers. Columbia College Missouri graduates carry a median of $23,309 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Columbia College Missouri

14

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #14 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 40 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from University Of Missouri St Louis earn around $38,332 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $35,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Missouri St Louis

15

East Central College placed #15 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. About 280 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at East Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from East Central College earn around $28,037 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at East Central College

16

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #16 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Ozarks Technical Community College awarded about 472 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,787 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,567 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Ozarks Technical Community College

17

Moberly Area Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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 / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Moberly Area Community College earn around $26,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,993 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Moberly Area Community College

18

Missouri Southern State University came in at #18 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Missouri Southern State University awarded about 85 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / sciences & humanities program at Missouri Southern State University

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

Mineral Area College placed #19 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 311 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Mineral Area College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $25,462. Typical student debt for the program is $8,273. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Mineral Area College

20

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. About 384 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $28,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,957. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff

21

State Fair Community College came in at #21 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. There were roughly 459 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at State Fair Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $26,386 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at State Fair Community College

22

North Central Missouri College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. About 121 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at North Central Missouri College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from North Central Missouri College earn around $24,483 in the first couple years of their career. North Central Missouri College graduates carry a median of $9,638 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at North Central Missouri College

23

Missouri Baptist University came in at #23 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Missouri Baptist University graduates 46% of students within six years. Missouri Baptist University awarded about 25 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Missouri Baptist University earn around $35,595 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,154 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Missouri Baptist University

24
Cottey College crest
Cottey College
Nevada, MO

Cottey College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Cottey College in the most recent year. Cottey College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Cottey College

25

Harris Stowe State University landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Harris Stowe State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Harris Stowe State University graduates carry a median of $32,394 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Harris Stowe State University

Rest of the Top 28 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities ranking:

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

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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.

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