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Best Schools in Missouri

2023 Best Schools in Missouri

43 Schools Ranked
$49,223 Average Earnings
$24,023 Avg Student Debt

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in Missouri to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 43 schools in Missouri to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Missouri

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
6,480 Total Awards
$68,303 Average Earnings
$39,055 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Washington University in St Louis to be the best school for students in Missouri. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 6,480 degrees in .

On average, students take out $39,055 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WUSTL graduates make an average of $68,303 annually.

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#2

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
10,926 Total Awards
$53,134 Average Earnings
$45,099 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Schools in Missouri list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school handed out 10,926 degrees in .

On average, students take out $45,099 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Mizzou graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,134 during the early year of their career.

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2,174 Total Awards
$74,532 Average Earnings
$37,334 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in Missouri list. Located in Rolla, Missouri, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,174 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,334 in student loans.After graduating from Missouri University of Science and Technology, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $74,532 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Ranken Technical College

Saint Louis, Missouri
759 Total Awards
$49,903 Average Earnings
$13,919 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 43 schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Ranken Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Ranken Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 759 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Ranken Technical College accumulate an average of $13,919 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Ranken Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,903 during the early years of their career.

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#5

Stephens College

Columbia, Missouri
153 Total Awards
$55,458 Average Earnings
$31,457 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stephens College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in Missouri list. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 153 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Stephens accumulate an average of $31,457 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Stephens graduates make an average of $55,458 annually.

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3,422 Total Awards
$46,660 Average Earnings
$16,036 Avg Student Debt

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 3,422 degrees in .

On average, students take out $16,036 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,660 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
3,813 Total Awards
$65,599 Average Earnings
$53,192 Avg Student Debt

Saint Louis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,813 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $53,192 in student loans.After graduating from SLU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,599 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
2,759 Total Awards
$67,909 Average Earnings
$37,005 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Maryville University of Saint Louis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 2,759 degrees in .

On average, students take out $37,005 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Maryville U graduates make an average of $67,909 annually.

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#9

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
1,920 Total Awards
$47,962 Average Earnings
$14,841 Avg Student Debt

Columbia College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Schools in Missouri list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,920 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,841 in student loans.After graduating from Columbia College Missouri, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,962 during the early years of their career.

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#10

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
1,023 Total Awards
$39,764 Average Earnings

Truman State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, the small public school handed out 1,023 degrees in .

After graduating from Truman State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,764 during the early years of their career.

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592 Total Awards
$47,316 Average Earnings
$20,931 Avg Student Debt

Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. CMU CGES is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fayette, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 592 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,931 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CMU CGES graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,316 during the early year of their career.

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#12

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
871 Total Awards
$70,849 Average Earnings
$36,277 Avg Student Debt

Rockhurst University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. Rockhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 871 degrees in .

On average, students take out $36,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Rockhurst graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $70,849 during the early year of their career.

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907 Total Awards
$45,538 Average Earnings

State Technical College of Missouri came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. STC is a public institution located in Linn, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 907 degrees in .

After graduating from STC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,538 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
2,131 Total Awards
$52,616 Average Earnings
$16,039 Avg Student Debt

Park University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,131 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,039 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Park University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,616 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
2,582 Total Awards
$57,152 Average Earnings
$30,593 Avg Student Debt

Webster University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,582 students in .

Degree recipients from Webster accumulate an average of $30,593 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Webster graduates make an average of $57,152 annually.

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#16

State Fair Community College

Sedalia, Missouri
727 Total Awards
$39,168 Average Earnings
$12,425 Avg Student Debt

State Fair Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. Located in Sedalia, Missouri, the small public school handed out 727 degrees in .

On average, students take out $12,425 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, State Fair Community College graduates make an average of $39,168 annually.

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#17

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
2,659 Total Awards
$53,079 Average Earnings
$18,442 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 2,659 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $18,442 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMSL graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,079 during the early year of their career.

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#18

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
3,899 Total Awards
$60,324 Average Earnings
$22,114 Avg Student Debt

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,899 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,114 in student loans.After graduating from UMKC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,324 during the early years of their career.

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#19

Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, Missouri
2,821 Total Awards
$42,939 Average Earnings
$21,871 Avg Student Debt

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 2,821 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Northwest accumulate an average of $21,871 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Northwest, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,939 during the early years of their career.

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#20

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
1,859 Total Awards
$48,197 Average Earnings
$27,654 Avg Student Debt

Lindenwood University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in Missouri list. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,859 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $27,654 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Lindenwood University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,197 during the early years of their career.

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#21

Saint Louis Community College

Bridgeton, Missouri
2,179 Total Awards
$38,999 Average Earnings
$14,673 Avg Student Debt

Saint Louis Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Bridgeton, Missouri, and it awarded 2,179 degrees in .

On average, students take out $14,673 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Saint Louis Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,999 during the early year of their career.

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#22

Missouri State University - Springfield

Springfield, Missouri
6,108 Total Awards
$46,503 Average Earnings
$22,980 Avg Student Debt

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,108 students in .

Degree recipients from Missouri State accumulate an average of $22,980 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Missouri State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,503 during the early year of their career.

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#23

St Charles Community College

Cottleville, Missouri
1,024 Total Awards
$47,228 Average Earnings
$15,956 Avg Student Debt

St Charles Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. SCC is located in Cottleville, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,024 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,956 in student loans.After graduating from SCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,228 during the early years of their career.

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#24

Jefferson College

Hillsboro, Missouri
737 Total Awards
$47,560 Average Earnings

Jefferson College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. JeffCo is a small public school situated in Hillsboro, Missouri. It awarded 737 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, JeffCo graduates make an average of $47,560 annually.

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#25

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri
296 Total Awards
$46,039 Average Earnings

Fontbonne University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Missouri ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 296 students in .

Once they receive their degree, Fontbonne University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,039 during the early year of their career.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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