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Best value colleges in Missouri

Colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price, graduation rate, earnings, and debt from federal data.

Best value colleges in Missouri17 schools

17 schools qualify, ranked by Value.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Missouri.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
  • Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by Value, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Rolla, MO · Public

    Top 7% for earnings

    • Value grade A · Top 8%
    • Net price $16,298 a year
  2. 2

    University of Missouri-Kansas City

    Kansas City, MO · Public

    #19 in Missouri

    • Value grade A · Top 9%
    • Net price $13,310 a year
  3. 3

    Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

    Cape Girardeau, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 11% for low debt

    • Value grade A · Top 9%
    • Net price $19,390 a year
  4. 4

    Washington University in St. Louis

    St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Missouri

    • Value grade A- · Top 11%
    • Net price $21,786 a year
  5. 5

    Ranken Technical College

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #5 in Missouri

    • Value grade A- · Top 15%
    • Net price $18,795 a year
  6. 6

    Truman State University

    Kirksville, MO · Public

    #7 in Missouri

    • Value grade A- · Top 16%
    • Net price $12,780 a year
  7. 7

    University of Missouri-Columbia

    Columbia, MO · Public

    #6 in Missouri

    • Value grade B+ · Top 27%
    • Net price $20,268 a year
  8. 8

    William Jewell College

    Liberty, MO · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Missouri

    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
    • Net price $17,562 a year
  9. 9

    Rockhurst University

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 15% for graduation

    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
    • Net price $25,884 a year
  10. 10

    Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 24% for earnings

    • Value grade B · Top 39%
    • Net price $22,066 a year
  11. 11

    Saint Louis University

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #4 in Missouri

    • Value grade B · Top 42%
    • Net price $24,398 a year
  12. 12

    University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for earnings

    • Value grade B · Top 43%
    • Net price $31,817 a year
  13. 13

    Chamberlain University-Missouri

    St. Louis, MO · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • Value grade B · Top 47%
    • Net price $30,716 a year
  14. 14

    Cottey College

    Nevada, MO · Private nonprofit

    #23 in Missouri

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $13,805 a year
  15. 15

    Drury University

    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit

    #14 in Missouri

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $20,831 a year
  16. 16

    Stephens College

    Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit

    #41 in Missouri

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $23,459 a year
  17. 17

    Kansas City Art Institute

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    #21 in Missouri

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $27,650 a year

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Missouri University of Science and Technology$16,298$23,250$82,95764%
University of Missouri-Kansas City$13,310$18,750$59,63755%
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences$19,390$11,500$60,91875%
Washington University in St. Louis$21,786$17,500$86,18294%
Ranken Technical College$18,795$12,000$55,95553%
Truman State University$12,780$21,000$56,28069%
University of Missouri-Columbia$20,268$20,500$63,40375%
William Jewell College$17,562$24,498$59,26868%
Rockhurst University$25,884$18,250$67,10275%
Maryville University of Saint Louis$22,066$22,000$62,10566%
Saint Louis University$24,398$25,000$70,78380%
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis$31,817$17,755$137,04762%
Chamberlain University-Missouri$30,716$20,919$92,405100%
Cottey College$13,805$19,043$35,42256%
Drury University$20,831$20,979$40,69462%
Stephens College$23,459$27,000$43,07143%
Kansas City Art Institute$27,650$27,000$37,03258%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

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