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Colleges that spend the most on teaching in Missouri

Colleges ranked by instructional spending for each full-time-equivalent student.

Colleges that spend the most on teaching in Missouri20 schools

20 schools qualify, ranked by teaching spending per student.

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 instructional spending per full-time-equivalent student from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by instructional spending per student, highest first.

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

  1. 1

    Washington University in St. Louis

    St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Missouri

    • $181,929 on teaching per student
    • 7 students per faculty member
  2. 2

    University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for earnings

    • $28,357 on teaching per student
    • 9 students per faculty member
  3. 3

    Cottey College

    Nevada, MO · Private nonprofit

    #23 in Missouri

    • $26,653 on teaching per student
    • 6 students per faculty member
  4. 4

    Stephens College

    Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit

    #41 in Missouri

    • $17,955 on teaching per student
    • 8 students per faculty member
  5. 5

    Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

    Cape Girardeau, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 11% for low debt

    • $17,581 on teaching per student
    • 4 students per faculty member
  6. 6

    Saint Louis University

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #4 in Missouri

    • $16,954 on teaching per student
    • 9 students per faculty member
  7. 7

    Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Rolla, MO · Public

    Top 7% for earnings

    • $15,588 on teaching per student
    • 17 students per faculty member
  8. 8

    Truman State University

    Kirksville, MO · Public

    #7 in Missouri

    • $15,401 on teaching per student
    • 12 students per faculty member
  9. 9

    University of Missouri-Kansas City

    Kansas City, MO · Public

    #19 in Missouri

    • $14,451 on teaching per student
    • 13 students per faculty member
  10. 10

    University of Missouri-Columbia

    Columbia, MO · Public

    #6 in Missouri

    • $13,675 on teaching per student
    • 17 students per faculty member
  11. 11

    College of the Ozarks

    Point Lookout, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #2 in Missouri

    • $13,386 on teaching per student
    • 14 students per faculty member
  12. 12

    Kansas City Art Institute

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    #21 in Missouri

    • $12,837 on teaching per student
    • 10 students per faculty member
  13. 13

    Cox College

    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • $12,834 on teaching per student
    • 8 students per faculty member
  14. 14

    William Jewell College

    Liberty, MO · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Missouri

    • $12,825 on teaching per student
    • 10 students per faculty member
  15. 15

    Bolivar Technical College

    Bolivar, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 4% for graduation

    • $12,661 on teaching per student
    • 7 students per faculty member
  16. 16

    Drury University

    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit

    #14 in Missouri

    • $11,903 on teaching per student
    • 14 students per faculty member
  17. 17

    Rockhurst University

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 15% for graduation

    • $7,703 on teaching per student
    • 12 students per faculty member
  18. 18

    Chamberlain University-Missouri

    St. Louis, MO · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • $6,411 on teaching per student
    • 10 students per faculty member
  19. 19

    Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 24% for earnings

    • $6,073 on teaching per student
    • 13 students per faculty member
  20. 20

    Ranken Technical College

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #5 in Missouri

    • $5,481 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Washington University in St. Louis$21,786$17,500$86,18294%
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis$31,817$17,755$137,04762%
Cottey College$13,805$19,043$35,42256%
Stephens College$23,459$27,000$43,07143%
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences$19,390$11,500$60,91875%
Saint Louis University$24,398$25,000$70,78380%
Missouri University of Science and Technology$16,298$23,250$82,95764%
Truman State University$12,780$21,000$56,28069%
University of Missouri-Kansas City$13,310$18,750$59,63755%
University of Missouri-Columbia$20,268$20,500$63,40375%
College of the Ozarks$6,100—$41,59264%
Kansas City Art Institute$27,650$27,000$37,03258%
Cox College—$20,000$56,867100%
William Jewell College$17,562$24,498$59,26868%
Bolivar Technical College—$15,000—92%
Drury University$20,831$20,979$40,69462%
Rockhurst University$25,884$18,250$67,10275%
Chamberlain University-Missouri$30,716$20,919$92,405100%
Maryville University of Saint Louis$22,066$22,000$62,10566%
Ranken Technical College$18,795$12,000$55,95553%

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

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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