2027 Best Value Education Schools in Missouri
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, our #1 best value for education in Missouri. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $7,199 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $7,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Education graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Education graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Moberly Area Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Education graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $19,814. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
St Charles Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Education graduates carry a median of $10,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $21,220. Set against $10,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $36,409. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $30,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Education graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,390 early in their careers. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,839. Early-career education graduates make about $36,350. That is a strong return on a $21,839 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mineral Area College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,362. Education graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $46,535 early in their careers. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri State University West Plains placed #13 among the best values for education. Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Plains. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,936, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,250. Early-career education graduates make about $42,523. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $41,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
North Central Missouri College came in at #15 for value in education this year. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. Education graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Education graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $31,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,303. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,387. Set against $24,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College came in at #18 for value in education this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Education graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $37,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,629. Early-career education graduates make about $37,995. That is a strong return on a $25,629 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,187. Early-career education graduates make about $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Cottey College placed #21 among the best values for education. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,562. Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,422 ten years after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cottey College admits about 69% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University placed #22 among the best values for education. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Education graduates carry a median of $35,478 in student loans. Education graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $28,500 early in their careers. Set against $35,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #23 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $23,426 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $43,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #24 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,425. Early-career education graduates make about $32,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,409. Early-career education graduates make about $36,103. That is a strong return on a $22,409 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
