Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
- 50
- Schools
- $47,073
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,448
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,402
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $31,088 at the low end to $86,182 at the top. That 2.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
St Charles Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $42,422 against $5,837 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, St Charles Community College at $5,837 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $42,422, matching or exceeding the list average.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Washington University in St Louis graduates 94% of its students, well above the 50% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor St Charles Community College: graduates owe only 0.15× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Moberly Area Community College ($37,537 earnings), not the highest earner, Washington University in St Louis ($86,182). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. St Charles Community College ($5,837/yr) and Saint Louis University ($24,398/yr) produce graduates earning $42,422 and $70,783 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $18,561 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, St Charles Community College outperforms Washington University in St Louis: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with St Charles Community College and Washington University in St Louis. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $43K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Moberly Area Community College #1 overall | $37,537 ▼ -20% vs avg | $6,810 | 43% | 80 |
| 2 Ozarks Technical Community College #2 overall | $36,455 ▼ -23% vs avg | $6,936 | 32% | 80 |
| 3 St Charles Community College #3 overall | $42,422 ▼ -10% vs avg | $5,837 | 24% | 79 |
| $40,782 ▼ -13% vs avg | $7,378 | 35% | 79 | |
| $41,592 ▼ -12% vs avg | $6,100 | 62% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,073 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $15,448.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: St Charles Community College — Net Price: $5,837 | Graduation Rate: 24%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Washington University in St Louis — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Washington University in St Louis — Median alumni earnings: $86,182
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$43,071
Median earnings (10yr)
49%
Median graduation rate
$15,536
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $43,071 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 49%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $15,536 a year with about $20,250 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 35% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.2%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $15,536 and graduates earn a median of $43,071. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Moberly Area Community College lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $37,537 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,810 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Ozarks Technical Community College lands at #2 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,455 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,936 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
St Charles Community College lands at #3 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $42,422 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,837 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Jefferson College lands at #4 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $40,782 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,378 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
College of the Ozarks lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (35/100). Graduates earn a median $41,592 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,100 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
State Fair Community College lands at #6 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $35,562 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,985 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Crowder College lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $35,987 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,023 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City lands at #8 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $40,796 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,398 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Three Rivers College lands at #9 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $32,442 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,496 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Missouri Southern State University lands at #10 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $42,620 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,007 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Truman State University lands at #11 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,280 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,780 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Missouri State University-West Plains lands at #12 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,922 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,750 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #13 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $31,088 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,922 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Saint Louis Community College lands at #14 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $35,325 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,440 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Mineral Area College lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $35,352 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,045 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Missouri-Kansas City lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $59,637 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,310 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Springfield, MO · $10,566 net
Why it ranks #17
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,694 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,566 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of Central Missouri lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $49,560 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,462 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Cottey College lands at #19 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $35,422 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,805 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
East Central College lands at #20 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,916 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,128 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Missouri Western State University lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $42,647 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,251 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
North Central Missouri College lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $40,837 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,626 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cape Girardeau, MO · 74% accepted · $15,882 net
Why it ranks #23
Southeast Missouri State University lands at #23 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,030 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,882 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Rolla, MO · 73% accepted · $16,298 net
Why it ranks #24
Missouri University of Science and Technology lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $82,957 a decade after enrolling, 76% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,298 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
University of Missouri-St Louis lands at #25 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,037 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,071 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Avila University lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,773 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Northwest Missouri State University lands at #27 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $47,885 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,244 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
State Technical College of Missouri lands at #28 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $55,901 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,190 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
William Jewell College lands at #29 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $59,268 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,562 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Missouri Valley College lands at #30 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $43,221 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,086 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Springfield, MO · 91% accepted · $17,613 net
Why it ranks #31
Missouri State University-Springfield lands at #31 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,827 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,613 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Evangel University lands at #32 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,573 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,669 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Lindenwood University lands at #33 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,278 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,638 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Ranken Technical College lands at #34 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $55,955 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,795 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Drury University lands at #35 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $40,694 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,831 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
University of Missouri-Columbia lands at #36 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,403 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,268 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Urshan University lands at #37 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (61/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Net price runs $14,779 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Ozark Christian College lands at #38 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $41,297 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,580 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Washington University in St Louis lands at #39 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 83% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Lincoln University lands at #40 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $39,463 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,092 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Southwest Baptist University lands at #41 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $43,112 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,677 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Culver-Stockton College lands at #42 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,092 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,983 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Saint Louis, MO · 95% accepted · $22,066 net
Why it ranks #43
Maryville University of Saint Louis lands at #43 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Park University lands at #44 with a 52/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,309 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,032 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Fayette, MO · 57% accepted · $22,766 net
Why it ranks #45
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences lands at #45 with a 51/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,991 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Hannibal-LaGrange University lands at #46 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,643 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,814 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Stephens College lands at #47 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,071 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,459 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Saint Louis University lands at #48 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $70,783 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,398 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Mission University lands at #49 with a 50/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $38,641 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,383 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Westminster College lands at #50 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $52,199 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,314 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding an affordable college can feel overwhelming, especially in a state with a range of options like Missouri. This list highlights schools that not only keep costs down but also offer pathways to solid earnings and graduation rates. For many families, understanding these figures is crucial in making a smart financial decision.
What sets these schools apart from others is how they balance affordability with outcomes that really matter. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions is $46,520, and the average graduation rate is 49%. These numbers reveal that while some colleges may have lower prices, they don't always lead to the best financial or educational outcomes. Use the data below to compare net prices, debt levels, and graduation rates to find a school that fits your family's needs.
Take St Charles Community College and Moberly Area Community College, for example. St Charles Community College has a lower net price of $5,837 compared to Moberly's $6,810, but Moberly boasts a higher graduation rate at 43%. This contrast illustrates how families must weigh the benefits of cost against the likelihood of completing a degree. Keep scrolling to explore how these Missouri schools stack up against each other.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 31 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.2%. Park University leads the group at 3.9%, with College of the Ozarks (3.3%) and Missouri Southern State University (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Crowder College leads at 18.3%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 16.5% across this list. Washington University in St Louis posts the highest success rate at 53.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.56 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Washington University in St Louis reaches 1.83, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
One surprising insight from this data is the tradeoff between cost and completion rates. While St Charles Community College offers a very low net price of $5,837, it has a graduation rate of only 24%. In contrast, College of the Ozarks provides a slightly higher net price of $6,100 but boasts a 62% graduation rate. This pattern suggests that while affordability is important, it’s also vital to consider how well students are actually completing their degrees.
After reviewing these 50 schools, it's essential to think about your family's unique priorities. Consider factors like location, program offerings, and campus atmosphere alongside these financial metrics. For example, if you prioritize a strong graduation rate and earnings potential, you might lean towards schools like College of the Ozarks or Moberly Area Community College, despite their higher net prices.
The stakes are high when it comes to college decisions, particularly in terms of long-term financial stability. Choosing the right school can mean the difference between manageable debt and a challenging financial future. For families investing in education, understanding these numbers can lead to informed choices that pave the way for a more secure life after college.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri ranking? +
Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, MO ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $37,537 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 43% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Washington University in St Louis posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,182 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,073 average across the 49 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, St Charles Community College leads: graduates earn a median $42,422 against net price of about $5,837 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Washington University in St Louis has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 50% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,448 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. St Charles Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,837. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
