# Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 43 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-missouri

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Missouri ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Finding the right bachelor's program can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Missouri with a wide range of options. With 43 schools to choose from, it’s essential to look closely at what these institutions offer beyond just the classroom. For many families, understanding the financial implications and future earning potential is crucial in making this life-changing decision.

The schools listed here stand out primarily due to their outcomes: earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and student debt levels. The data highlights how well graduates fare in the job market and the financial burden they carry. As you explore the list below, keep in mind that a higher earning potential combined with manageable debt can significantly impact a graduate's quality of life.

Take Washington University in St. Louis, for instance. With an average earning of $86,182 and a graduation rate of 94%, it clearly leads the group. In contrast, Truman State University shows a different picture with $56,280 in earnings and a graduation rate of 68%. These differences highlight the trade-offs students must consider when selecting a program that meets their academic and financial needs.

## Key Findings

- Washington University in St. Louis offers an impressive $86,182 average earnings for graduates.
- Truman State University has a graduation rate of 68%, compared to Washington's 94%.
- The average debt for a graduate from Missouri University of Science and Technology is $23,250.
- The average earnings across all schools in this list is $52,010.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Washington University in St Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-university-in-st-louis) | St. Louis, MO | 94% | $86,182 | $21,786 | $17,500 | 0.2x |
| 2 | [Truman State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/truman-state-university) | Kirksville, MO | 68% | $56,280 | $12,780 | $21,000 | 0.37x |
| 3 | [Missouri University of Science and Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-university-of-science-and-technology) | Rolla, MO | 64% | $82,957 | $16,298 | $23,250 | 0.28x |
| 4 | [William Jewell College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-jewell-college) | Liberty, MO | 64% | $59,268 | $17,562 | $24,498 | 0.41x |
| 5 | [University of Central Missouri](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-missouri) | Warrensburg, MO | 52% | $49,560 | $14,462 | $21,000 | 0.42x |
| 6 | [Rockhurst University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rockhurst-university) | Kansas City, MO | 75% | $67,102 | $25,884 | $18,250 | 0.27x |
| 7 | [Southeast Missouri State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeast-missouri-state-university) | Cape Girardeau, MO | 57% | $44,030 | $15,882 | $21,500 | 0.49x |
| 8 | [Northwest Missouri State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-missouri-state-university) | Maryville, MO | 56% | $47,885 | $16,244 | $21,500 | 0.45x |
| 9 | [Saint Louis University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-louis-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 80% | $70,783 | $24,398 | $25,000 | 0.35x |
| 10 | [Maryville University of Saint Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-university-of-saint-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 69% | $62,105 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 0.35x |
| 11 | [Missouri Southern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-southern-state-university) | Joplin, MO | 40% | $42,620 | $12,007 | $19,174 | 0.45x |
| 12 | [Lindenwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lindenwood-university) | Saint Charles, MO | 50% | $53,278 | $19,638 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 13 | [Webster University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/webster-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 63% | $50,876 | $27,047 | $23,000 | 0.45x |
| 14 | [Stephens College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stephens-college) | Columbia, MO | 45% | $43,071 | $23,459 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 15 | [Drury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drury-university) | Springfield, MO | 64% | $40,694 | $20,831 | $20,979 | 0.52x |
| 16 | [University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-health-sciences-and-pharmacy-in-st-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 69% | $137,047 | $31,817 | $17,755 | 0.13x |
| 17 | [Avila University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/avila-university) | Kansas City, MO | 47% | $52,773 | $16,053 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 18 | [University of Missouri-Columbia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-missouri-columbia) | Columbia, MO | 76% | $63,403 | $20,268 | $20,500 | 0.32x |
| 19 | [Missouri Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-baptist-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 48% | $46,660 | $27,006 | $22,500 | 0.48x |
| 20 | [University of Missouri-Kansas City](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-missouri-kansas-city) | Kansas City, MO | 56% | $59,637 | $13,310 | $18,750 | 0.31x |
| 21 | [Ozark Christian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ozark-christian-college) | Joplin, MO | 66% | $41,297 | $20,580 | $16,772 | 0.41x |
| 22 | [Missouri Western State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-western-state-university) | Saint Joseph, MO | 39% | $42,647 | $13,251 | $19,968 | 0.47x |
| 23 | [Evangel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/evangel-university) | Springfield, MO | 65% | $46,573 | $18,669 | $24,736 | 0.53x |
| 24 | [Westminster College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/westminster-college) | Fulton, MO | 56% | $52,199 | $24,314 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 25 | [College of the Ozarks](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-ozarks) | Point Lookout, MO | 62% | $41,592 | $6,100 | N/A | N/A |
| 26 | [Park University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/park-university) | Parkville, MO | 34% | $56,309 | $21,032 | $21,685 | 0.39x |
| 27 | [Culver-Stockton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/culver-stockton-college) | Canton, MO | 45% | $46,092 | $21,983 | $26,000 | 0.56x |
| 28 | [Southwest Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwest-baptist-university) | Bolivar, MO | 53% | $43,112 | $21,677 | $20,957 | 0.49x |
| 29 | [University of Missouri-St Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-missouri-st-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 57% | $53,037 | $15,071 | $20,000 | 0.38x |
| 30 | [Missouri State University-Springfield](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-state-university-springfield) | Springfield, MO | 58% | $49,827 | $17,613 | $21,992 | 0.44x |
| 31 | [Missouri Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-valley-college) | Marshall, MO | 23% | $43,221 | $18,086 | $25,950 | 0.6x |
| 32 | [Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-methodist-university-college-of-liberal-arts-and-sciences) | Fayette, MO | 52% | $48,991 | $22,766 | $17,619 | 0.36x |
| 33 | [Cottey College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cottey-college) | Nevada, MO | 59% | $35,422 | $13,805 | $19,043 | 0.54x |
| 34 | [William Woods University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-woods-university) | Fulton, MO | 52% | $42,401 | $26,569 | $21,983 | 0.52x |
| 35 | [Hannibal-LaGrange University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hannibal-lagrange-university) | Hannibal, MO | 47% | $42,643 | $22,814 | $18,599 | 0.44x |
| 36 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-mo) | Columbia, MO | 44% | $45,378 | $22,715 | $23,879 | 0.53x |
| 37 | [Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drury-university-college-of-continuing-professional-studies) | Springfield, MO | 39% | $40,694 | $10,566 | $20,979 | 0.52x |
| 38 | [Harris-Stowe State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harris-stowe-state-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 28% | $31,088 | $9,922 | $25,930 | 0.83x |
| 39 | [Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midwestern-baptist-theological-seminary) | Kansas City, MO | 59% | $50,535 | $23,006 | $15,675 | 0.31x |
| 40 | [Kansas City Art Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-city-art-institute) | Kansas City, MO | 62% | $37,032 | $27,650 | $27,000 | 0.73x |
| 41 | [Urshan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/urshan-university) | Wentzville, MO | 49% | N/A | $14,779 | N/A | N/A |
| 42 | [Lincoln University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-university-mo) | Jefferson City, MO | 22% | $39,463 | $19,092 | $28,875 | 0.73x |
| 43 | [Mission University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mission-university) | Springfield, MO | 41% | $38,641 | $21,383 | $26,168 | 0.68x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-missouri

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.