2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
For return on investment in general education, no school beat University Of Missouri St Louis this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. General Education graduates carry a median of $33,449 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,247. Set against $33,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #2 place for general education. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,033. General Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $38,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Harris Stowe State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $28,500. That is a strong return on a $35,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #5 place for general education. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,976. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $33,503. General Education graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $41,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Baptist University placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,436 in student loans. General Education graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $60,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,436 median debt. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $34,546. That is a strong return on a $27,100 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $36,244. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
