Best Missouri Colleges & Universities for 2017

Missouri is dedicated to higher education. In the state’s Blueprint for Higher Education, Missouri vows to become a top ten state for investment research, rank among the ten most affordable states for a degree or certificate, and increase the number of working-age adults who hold postsecondary credentials to 60 percent, all by 2025. This guide presents various lists and rankings of the most affordable schools, popular areas to attend college and resources to help students interested in earning a degree in Missouri. Read on to learn more about Missouri colleges and universities.

Missouri College Leaderboard: 2017 Rankings

Let’s be honest: it is very easy to become overwhelmed by the vast number of Missouri colleges available to aspiring students. To help make things easier, we have ranked Missouri colleges based on a variety of important characteristics, such as cost of attendance, availability of financial aid, and graduation rates. Students can use these rankings list as the basis of their college search.

Methodology +

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	State Fair Community College	99.84	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $29,200	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 14%	21%	N/A	17	50	Yes	Yes
2	Crowder College	99.76	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 18%	22%	N/A	10	54	Yes	Yes
3	Jefferson College	99.18	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $28,900	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 12%	24%	N/A	3	51	Yes	Yes
4	East Central College	98.86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,700	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 6%	17%	N/A	0	51	Yes	Yes
5	State Technical College of Missouri	98.79	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,400	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 5%	59%	N/A	0	42	Yes	No
6	North Central Missouri College	98.56	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $27,700	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 21%	30%	N/A	20	41	No	Yes
7	Moberly Area Community College	98.22	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $27,800	21:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 7%	19%	N/A	4	45	Yes	Yes
8	Ozarks Technical Community College	98.16	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $27,500	23:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	20%	N/A	13	71	Yes	Yes
9	Mineral Area College	98.08	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,800	23:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 15%	27%	N/A	1	56	Yes	Yes
10	Three Rivers Community College	97.88	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,400	24:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 17%	17%	N/A	18	58	Yes	No
11	Missouri State University – West Plains	97.39	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,400	22:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 29%	27%	N/A	0	18	Yes	No
12	St Charles Community College	97.30	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,000	24:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	19%	N/A	0	33	Yes	No
13	Lake Career and Technical Center	96.43	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. N/A	7:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	93%	N/A	0	9	Yes	No
14	Texas County Technical College	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. N/A	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	76%	N/A	0	7	Yes	No

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Washington University in St Louis	99.77	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $62,300	8:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 51%	94%	17%	0	170	Yes	No
2	Saint Louis University	98.92	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $55,200	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 88%	70%	61%	4	119	Yes	No
3	Maryville University of Saint Louis	98.78	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $44,500	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 97%	70%	72%	4	79	Yes	Yes
4	William Jewell College	98.11	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,300	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	69%	63%	0	51	Yes	No
5	Rockhurst University	98.08	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $47,600	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	69%	77%	0	37	Yes	No
6	Truman State University	97.59	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $42,700	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 98%	74%	74%	0	53	Yes	No
7	Westminster College	97.25	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $41,500	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 97%	70%	66%	0	57	Yes	No
8	Webster University	97.10	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $39,400	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 94%	64%	72%	23	115	Yes	Yes
9	University of Missouri-Columbia	97.02	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,000	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 62%	71%	78%	15	153	Yes	No
10	Missouri University of Science and Technology	96.48	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $65,500	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 81%	65%	86%	15	57	Yes	No
11	Park University	96.34	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $43,900	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 80%	41%	67%	9	71	Yes	Yes
12	University of Missouri-Kansas City	95.71	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $43,100	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 75%	44%	64%	2	95	Yes	Yes
13	Northwest Missouri State University	95.68	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $38,900	24:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 93%	52%	77%	6	98	Yes	No
14	Lindenwood University	95.53	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $39,700	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 94%	41%	53%	10	117	Yes	Yes
15	William Woods University	95.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,200	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	49%	76%	6	37	Yes	Yes
16	Avila University	95.11	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $41,600	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 98%	43%	52%	2	51	No	Yes
17	University of Missouri-St Louis	94.98	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,400	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 88%	47%	76%	0	74	Yes	No
18	Fontbonne University	94.66	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,200	11:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 94%	34%	91%	4	54	Yes	Yes
19	Missouri State University-Springfield	93.94	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,200	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 51%	55%	85%	20	154	Yes	No
20	University of Central Missouri	93.61	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,600	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 60%	49%	78%	19	142	Yes	Yes
21	Hannibal-LaGrange University	93.46	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,900	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 84%	51%	61%	4	35	Yes	Yes
22	Culver-Stockton College	93.15	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,100	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	50%	58%	3	33	Yes	No
23	Southwest Baptist University	93.01	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,800	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 94%	54%	62%	1	66	Yes	No
24	Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences	92.92	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,400	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	50%	61%	0	43	No	No
25	College of the Ozarks	92.83	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,700	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 79%	62%	8%	0	71	Yes	No
26	Evangel University	92.75	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,000	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 88%	46%	65%	2	58	Yes	Yes
27	Stephens College	92.70	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $30,700	9:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	56%	54%	4	28	No	No
28	Southeast Missouri State University	92.69	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,000	22:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 76%	46%	85%	10	102	Yes	No
29	Kansas City Art Institute	92.02	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,800	9:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	59%	60%	0	14	No	Yes
30	Columbia College	91.31	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,600	34:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 24%	42%	N/A	26	44	Yes	Yes
31	Missouri Western State University	90.88	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,400	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 60%	30%	N/A	1	59	Yes	Yes
32	Missouri Valley College	90.86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,400	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	25%	44%	1	36	Yes	No
33	Missouri Baptist University	90.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,100	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	38%	60%	7	58	Yes	Yes
34	Calvary University	90.15	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $30,600	7:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 78%	44%	100%	1	17	No	Yes
35	Drury University	89.90	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,200	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 76%	48%	74%	8	77	Yes	No
36	Missouri Southern State University	89.52	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,800	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 51%	33%	96%	11	45	Yes	Yes
37	Harris-Stowe State University	88.68	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $27,900	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 20%	8%	N/A	0	15	Yes	No
38	Lincoln University	87.58	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $30,300	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 41%	24%	N/A	2	50	No	Yes
39	Baptist Bible College	86.64	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $29,500	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 70%	29%	N/A	1	13	No	No
40	Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. N/A	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 12%	44%	76%	2	10	Yes	Yes

Search & Compare Colleges in Missouri

Missouri is home to many great colleges and universities, but that can make it tough to find the perfect fit. From financial considerations to learning styles and everything in between, sometimes students just need to look at very individual factors. The following tool allows students to compare schools side by side by reviewing the criteria that matters to them, like tuition, school type and acceptance rate.

Cost of College in Missouri

College can be expensive, so finding which school provides the most learning for your education buck is very important. It is important to remember that tuition doesn’t tell the whole story. Another major factor is financial aid, such as how much is available and how easily students can obtain it. The following charts display this information for Missouri schools so that the actual cost of college can be more easily calculated and compared against other states in the nation.

Missouri’s Most Affordable Colleges

The following section represents the six most affordable colleges in Missouri. To create this list, we looked at tuition rates, then factored in the average financial aid award for enrolled students. The resulting values provide a more accurate idea of what a college in Missouri will cost. Then we went a step further and included national average numbers to put Missouri college costs in a larger context.

• 1
  
  Missouri Southern State University$9,437
• 2
  
  Lincoln University$9,956
• 3
  
  Missouri Western State University$9,958

• 4
  
  Harris-Stowe State University$10,278
• 5
  
  Saint Louis Christian College$10,552
• 6
  
  Northwest Missouri State University$10,612

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Missouri College Net Price vs. National Average

$17,155

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Missouri Colleges for Maximizing Earnings Potential

For colleges in Missouri, one selling point that often goes overlooked is what its alumni are making several years after graduating. One way to figure out if going to a particular school is worth it or not is to evaluate the earning potential of its graduates. These numbers represent how much alumni were making ten years after enrollment.

• 1
  
  A T Still University of Health Sciences$199,600
• 2
  
  St Louis College of Pharmacy$111,600
• 3
  
  Missouri University of Science and Technology$65,500

• 4
  
  Washington University in St Louis$62,300
• 5
  
  Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences$60,400
• 6
  
  Saint Louis University$55,200

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Missouri Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$43,035

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Colleges in Missouri With Least Student Loan Debt

College debt can be a huge burden to students, especially when that debt means putting big life milestones on hold. Therefore, almost as important as how much graduates can expect to earn is how much graduates have in student debt when they finish school. The following ranking presents the colleges in Missouri where students graduate with the least amount of debt.

• 1
  
  Cottey College$12,000
• 2
  
  Ranken Technical College$13,300
• 3
  
  Central Christian College of the Bible$15,000

• 4
  
  Central Methodist University (All campuses)$17,285
• 5
  
  St Louis College of Pharmacy$17,500
• 6
  
  Ozark Christian College$19,000

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Missouri College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$22,074

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Missouri Cost of Living: College Expenses Beyond Tuition

Understanding the tuition rate and probable financial aid award is just part of the equation when calculating the actual cost of a particular school. Tuition may be low and financial awards generous, but if the cost of living is high, a “cheap” school may end up being one of the more expensive options. To help students make a more informed decision, we have examined the cost of living in various areas of the state.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accreditation for Missouri Colleges

Accreditation has often been a prime consideration for students attending online schools, in order to avoid diploma mills and make sure their degree will mean something. But remember that confirming a school’s accreditation is always important, whether they offer classes online or not. Accreditation ensures that a school meets certain minimum education requirements and that students will graduate with a competitive level of knowledge.

Schools can be accredited at either the school or program level, or both. Most schools in Missouri are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an independent corporation that accredits schools in Missouri and 18 other states in the North Central Region. Other organizations offer accreditation at the program level. These accreditations ensure the program is on a par with other programs in the field. Here are a few examples:

• The University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Drury University’s music schools is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Popular College Cities in Missouri

Columbia

Columbia is a quintessential college town, with the University of Missouri being the single biggest claim to fame. In fact, Columbia ranks 11th in USA Today's list of 25 best small college towns. Even for those not pursuing higher education, Columbia stills ranks as an amazing place to live - thestreet.com ranked Columbia as the 3rd best college town to live in. But there's more to Columbia than just the school. Things to do include visiting a museum or art gallery, enjoying the county fair or going on a microbrewery taste adventure.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Missouri	Public	$16,940	$46,000
The University of Missouri was the first university west of the Mississippi River when it was established in 1839. Over 300 degrees and certificates are available, with over 80 degrees offered online. Programs include academic areas such as law, engineering (the school boasts the most powerful university nuclear research reactor), medicine, journalism and music. Providing so many learning options comes as no surprise given Mizzou's enrollment size of over 35,000 students.
Columbia College	Private for-profit	$3,459	N/A
Established in 1851, Columbia College focuses on providing a high quality liberal arts and science curriculum. As a private school, emphasis is placed on small class sizes and high-quality, intensive learning experiences. The main campus is in Columbia and supports about 3,000 students, but there are dozens of campuses located all over the United States. Columbia College offers a total of 10 associate degrees, 59 bachelor's degrees and four master's degrees, of which 29 degrees are offered online.
Stephens College	Private not-for-profit	$23,175	$30,700
An all women's school consisting of about 650 students, Stephens College was founded in 1883. It is also the second oldest women's college in the United States. Despite this, some of the online and graduate programs are coeducational. The curriculum emphasizes arts and science, with extra emphasis on providing hands-on learning. The level of attention provided to students is impressive, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. Stephens College is especially renowned for its theatre and fashion programs.

Springfield

Springfield was incorporated in 1838 and serves as an ideal college town, given the many schools that call the city home. Each year approximately 50,000 students choose to attend a college or university in Springfield. Besides being a great college town, Springfield hosts a variety of activities, such as museums, wineries, great shopping, theatres and salons. The area is widely known for its availability of outdoor activities, especially in the Ozarks.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Drury University	Private not-for-profit	$23,726	$32,200
Drury University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1873. The Springfield Campus sits on about 90 acres and educates 3,600 students. As a private school, the student-to-faculty ratio is an ideal 10:1, with an average class size of 18 students. Academic offerings include 46 majors and 39 minors.
Ozarks Technical Community College	Public	$8,091	$27,500
Founded in 1990, OTCC provides a wide range of course offerings in both degree and non-degree tracks. Academic offerings include criminal justice, chemistry, business, teaching, computer science and fire science technology. In addition to associate degrees, the curriculum at Ozarks Technical Community College is particularly suited for providing practical job skills and preparing students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Missouri State University	Public	$14,817	$37,200
MSU is comprised of four campuses, with its flagship campus located in Springfield. With over 24,000 students, Missouri State University is the second largest university in the state. There are six academic colleges, one graduate college and the school of agriculture. MSU's graduate programs are especially notable. For example, the online cybersecurity program ranks #2 in the country.

Source: College Scorecard

Missouri College Student Resources

The state of Missouri has several online resources available to help college students. The following list is specific to Missouri and covers numerous key topics, from paying for college to learning about higher education options and workforce initiatives.