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Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Missouri

Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.

Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Missouri18 schools

18 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.

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 median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.

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

  1. 1

    College of the Ozarks

    Point Lookout, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #2 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 1.7× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $41,592 ten years out
  2. 2

    Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Rolla, MO · Public

    Top 7% for earnings

    • Earnings are 1.3× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $82,957 ten years out
  3. 3

    University of Missouri-Kansas City

    Kansas City, MO · Public

    #19 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $59,637 ten years out
  4. 3

    Truman State University

    Kirksville, MO · Public

    #7 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $56,280 ten years out
  5. 3

    University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for earnings

    • Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $137,047 ten years out
  6. 6

    Washington University in St. Louis

    St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $86,182 ten years out
  7. 7

    William Jewell College

    Liberty, MO · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $59,268 ten years out
  8. 7

    Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

    Cape Girardeau, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 11% for low debt

    • Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $60,918 ten years out
  9. 7

    University of Missouri-Columbia

    Columbia, MO · Public

    #6 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $63,403 ten years out
  10. 7

    Chamberlain University-Missouri

    St. Louis, MO · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $92,405 ten years out
  11. 11

    Ranken Technical College

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #5 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $55,955 ten years out
  12. 11

    Saint Louis University

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #4 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $70,783 ten years out
  13. 11

    Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 24% for earnings

    • Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $62,105 ten years out
  14. 14

    Rockhurst University

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 15% for graduation

    • Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $67,102 ten years out
  15. 14

    Cottey College

    Nevada, MO · Private nonprofit

    #23 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $35,422 ten years out
  16. 16

    Drury University

    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit

    #14 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $40,694 ten years out
  17. 16

    Stephens College

    Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit

    #41 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $43,071 ten years out
  18. 18

    Kansas City Art Institute

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    #21 in Missouri

    • Earnings are 0.3× the four-year net price
    • Earnings $37,032 ten years out

Compare cost and outcomes

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

This list in other states

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