# Best Master's Programs in Missouri

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 45 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-missouri

## Methodology

Master's programs in Missouri ranked by graduate outcomes

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

When it comes to pursuing a master's degree in Missouri, students have a range of options across 45 schools. Each of these institutions brings unique strengths, particularly in terms of graduate outcomes, which can significantly impact career trajectories. With average earnings for graduates hovering around $51,746, it's essential for prospective students to consider which programs offer the best return on investment.

The schools at the top of this list stand out for their impressive metrics in areas like earnings, graduation rates, and manageable debt levels. For instance, Washington University in St. Louis boasts an average graduate earning of $86,182, alongside a remarkable 94% graduation rate. Prospective students should look closely at how these factors play into their decision-making process, as they often reflect the quality and support of the programs offered.

Take, for example, Washington University in St. Louis and Truman State University. While Washington University graduates enjoy significantly higher earnings at $86,182 compared to Truman State's $56,280, they also face a higher net price of $21,786 against Truman's more affordable $12,780. These contrasts highlight the trade-offs that students must navigate as they weigh their options in this competitive field.

## Key Findings

- Washington University in St. Louis graduates earn an average of $86,182.
- Missouri University of Science and Technology has a graduation rate of 64%.
- Truman State University graduates face an average debt of $21,000.
- The average net price across these programs is $20,268.

## 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 | [Ranken Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ranken-technical-college) | Saint Louis, MO | 52% | $55,955 | $18,795 | $12,000 | 0.21x |
| 12 | [Missouri Southern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-southern-state-university) | Joplin, MO | 40% | $42,620 | $12,007 | $19,174 | 0.45x |
| 13 | [Lindenwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lindenwood-university) | Saint Charles, MO | 50% | $53,278 | $19,638 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 14 | [Webster University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/webster-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 63% | $50,876 | $27,047 | $23,000 | 0.45x |
| 15 | [Ozarks Technical Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ozarks-technical-community-college) | Springfield, MO | 32% | $36,455 | $6,936 | $10,453 | 0.29x |
| 16 | [Stephens College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stephens-college) | Columbia, MO | 45% | $43,071 | $23,459 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 17 | [Drury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drury-university) | Springfield, MO | 64% | $40,694 | $20,831 | $20,979 | 0.52x |
| 18 | [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 |
| 19 | [Avila University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/avila-university) | Kansas City, MO | 47% | $52,773 | $16,053 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 20 | [University of Missouri-Columbia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-missouri-columbia) | Columbia, MO | 76% | $63,403 | $20,268 | $20,500 | 0.32x |
| 21 | [Missouri Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-baptist-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 48% | $46,660 | $27,006 | $22,500 | 0.48x |
| 22 | [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 |
| 23 | [Ozark Christian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ozark-christian-college) | Joplin, MO | 66% | $41,297 | $20,580 | $16,772 | 0.41x |
| 24 | [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 |
| 25 | [Evangel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/evangel-university) | Springfield, MO | 65% | $46,573 | $18,669 | $24,736 | 0.53x |
| 26 | [Westminster College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/westminster-college) | Fulton, MO | 56% | $52,199 | $24,314 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 27 | [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 |
| 28 | [Park University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/park-university) | Parkville, MO | 34% | $56,309 | $21,032 | $21,685 | 0.39x |
| 29 | [Culver-Stockton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/culver-stockton-college) | Canton, MO | 45% | $46,092 | $21,983 | $26,000 | 0.56x |
| 30 | [Southwest Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwest-baptist-university) | Bolivar, MO | 53% | $43,112 | $21,677 | $20,957 | 0.49x |
| 31 | [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 |
| 32 | [Missouri State University-Springfield](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-state-university-springfield) | Springfield, MO | 58% | $49,827 | $17,613 | $21,992 | 0.44x |
| 33 | [Missouri Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-valley-college) | Marshall, MO | 23% | $43,221 | $18,086 | $25,950 | 0.6x |
| 34 | [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 |
| 35 | [Cottey College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cottey-college) | Nevada, MO | 59% | $35,422 | $13,805 | $19,043 | 0.54x |
| 36 | [William Woods University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-woods-university) | Fulton, MO | 52% | $42,401 | $26,569 | $21,983 | 0.52x |
| 37 | [Hannibal-LaGrange University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hannibal-lagrange-university) | Hannibal, MO | 47% | $42,643 | $22,814 | $18,599 | 0.44x |
| 38 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-mo) | Columbia, MO | 44% | $45,378 | $22,715 | $23,879 | 0.53x |
| 39 | [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 |
| 40 | [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 |
| 41 | [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 |
| 42 | [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 |
| 43 | [Urshan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/urshan-university) | Wentzville, MO | 49% | N/A | $14,779 | N/A | N/A |
| 44 | [Lincoln University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-university-mo) | Jefferson City, MO | 22% | $39,463 | $19,092 | $28,875 | 0.73x |
| 45 | [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 Master's Programs in Missouri." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-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/.