2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Missouri Colleges for an Associate ranking - to help you make that decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
We analyzed 26 colleges and universities across Missouri to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in Missouri take out an average of $13,175.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Associate Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
403
Associate Degrees Awarded
$47,932
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,849
Average Student Debt
Our 2025 rankings named Ranken Technical College the best school in Missouri in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 403 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Ranken Technical College make an average of $47,932 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,849.
Read full report on Ranken Technical College
20
Associate Degrees Awarded
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 20 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Learn More About Washington University in St Louis
29
Associate Degrees Awarded
A rank of #3 on our Best Associate Degree in Missouri list means Rockhurst University is a great place for students working on their degree. Rockhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Learn More About Rockhurst University
156
Associate Degrees Awarded
$56,359
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Park University. It ranked #4 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Parkville, Missouri that handed out 156 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Park University is $56,359 during the early years of their career.
Full Park University Report
600
Associate Degrees Awarded
$47,199
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,370
Average Student Debt
Out of the 26 associate degree schools in Missouri that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 600 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Columbia College Missouri go into careers with an average salary of $47,199 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,370 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Columbia College
615
Associate Degrees Awarded
$46,340
Average Early-Career Earnings
State Technical College of Missouri did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #6. Linn, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 615 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,340 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on State Technical College of Missouri
1,899
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,127
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,828
Average Student Debt
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City is a fairly large public school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 1,899 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from MCC make an average of $38,127 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,828.
Full Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Report
851
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,394
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,000
Average Student Debt
St Charles Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Cottleville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 851 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,394 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,000 after getting their degree.
Read full report on St Charles Community College
135
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,103
Average Early-Career Earnings
Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #9. Missouri Southern is a small public school situated in Joplin, Missouri. It awarded 135 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $31,103 during the early years of their career.
Full Missouri Southern State University Report
1,981
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,910
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,200
Average Student Debt
Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Bridgeton, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 1,981 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Saint Louis Community College go into careers with an average salary of $38,910 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,200.
Learn More About Saint Louis Community College
608
Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,268
Average Early-Career Earnings
$5,994
Average Student Debt
State Fair Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. State Fair Community College is located in Sedalia, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 608 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $33,268 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $5,994 in student loans.
Full State Fair Community College Report
156
Associate Degrees Awarded
$59,514
Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,708
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #12, Southwest Baptist University did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Bolivar, Missouri, and it awarded 156 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Southwest Baptist University make an average of $59,514 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,708 in student loans.
Read full report on Southwest Baptist University
788
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,533
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,344
Average Student Debt
Moberly Area Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. This small public school is located in Moberly, Missouri, and it awarded 788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from MACC is $34,533 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,344 in student loans.
Full Moberly Area Community College Report
17
Associate Degrees Awarded
$63,863
Average Early-Career Earnings
Hannibal - LaGrange University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. HLGU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hannibal, Missouri. It awarded 17 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from HLGU go into careers with an average salary of $63,863 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Hannibal - LaGrange University
424
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,941
Average Early-Career Earnings
Three Rivers College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the small public school handed out 424 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Three Rivers College is $39,941 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Three Rivers College
471
Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,854
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #16, Mineral Area College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Park Hills, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 471 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from MAC go into careers with an average salary of $31,854 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Mineral Area College
18
Associate Degrees Awarded
Missouri Baptist University landed the #17 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Learn More About Missouri Baptist University
1,490
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,636
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,080
Average Student Debt
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. OTC is a fairly large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 1,490 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from OTC make an average of $32,636 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $7,080 in student loans.
Read full report on Ozarks Technical Community College
17
Associate Degrees Awarded
Missouri Western State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. This small public school is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and it awarded 17 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Read full report on Missouri Western State University
743
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,277
Average Early-Career Earnings
Crowder College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. Crowder College is a small public school located in Neosho, Missouri that handed out 743 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Crowder College go into careers with an average salary of $36,277 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Crowder College
563
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,002
Average Early-Career Earnings
Jefferson College landed the #21 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Hillsboro, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 563 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from JeffCo make an average of $41,002 a year.
Full Jefferson College Report
312
Associate Degrees Awarded
$50,950
Average Early-Career Earnings
North Central Missouri College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri list. NCMC is located in Trenton, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 312 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a associate degree from NCMC make an average of $50,950 per year during the early years of their career.
Full North Central Missouri College Report
427
Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,727
Average Early-Career Earnings
East Central College landed the #23 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Located in Union, Missouri, the small public school awarded 427 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,727 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About East Central College
258
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,356
Average Early-Career Earnings
Missouri State University - West Plains landed the #24 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Missouri State West Plains is located in West Plains, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 258 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Missouri State West Plains is $43,356 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Missouri State University - West Plains
20
Associate Degrees Awarded
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City landed the #25 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 20 students in 2021-2022.
Full Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City Report
