# Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 18 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-missouri

## Methodology

Criminal Justice programs in Missouri ranked by outcomes and program concentration

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.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Missouri Southern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-southern-state-university) | Joplin, MO | 40% | $42,620 | $12,007 | $19,174 | 0.45x |
| 2 | [University of Central Missouri](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-missouri) | Warrensburg, MO | 52% | $49,560 | $14,462 | $21,000 | 0.42x |
| 3 | [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 |
| 4 | [Lindenwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lindenwood-university) | Saint Charles, MO | 50% | $53,278 | $19,638 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 5 | [Jefferson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jefferson-college) | Hillsboro, MO | 35% | $40,782 | $7,378 | $9,285 | 0.23x |
| 6 | [Park University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/park-university) | Parkville, MO | 34% | $56,309 | $21,032 | $21,685 | 0.39x |
| 7 | [Missouri Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-baptist-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 48% | $46,660 | $27,006 | $22,500 | 0.48x |
| 8 | [Mineral Area College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mineral-area-college) | Park Hills, MO | 46% | $35,352 | $12,045 | $10,500 | 0.3x |
| 9 | [Culver-Stockton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/culver-stockton-college) | Canton, MO | 45% | $46,092 | $21,983 | $26,000 | 0.56x |
| 10 | [Evangel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/evangel-university) | Springfield, MO | 65% | $46,573 | $18,669 | $24,736 | 0.53x |
| 11 | [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 |
| 12 | [Missouri Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-valley-college) | Marshall, MO | 23% | $43,221 | $18,086 | $25,950 | 0.6x |
| 13 | [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 |
| 14 | [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 |
| 15 | [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 |
| 16 | [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 |
| 17 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-mo) | Columbia, MO | 44% | $45,378 | $22,715 | $23,879 | 0.53x |
| 18 | [Lincoln University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-university-mo) | Jefferson City, MO | 22% | $39,463 | $19,092 | $28,875 | 0.73x |

## 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 Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-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/.