2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Missouri
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Missouri? We have ranked 140 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 116 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Missouri
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 Graduate Degrees school in Missouri. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. More on Washington University In St Louis
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #2 place in Missouri. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Out of the 116 schools in Missouri in this year's ranking, Stephens College landed the #3 spot. Set in Columbia, MO, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Students borrow a median of $33,326 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Stephens College report
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #4 place in Missouri. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Saint Louis University Main Campus earned it the #5 place in Missouri. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,586. See the full Saint Louis University Main Campus profile
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Maryville University Of Saint Louis profile
Rockhurst University landed the #7 spot in Missouri this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,111. See the full Rockhurst University profile
Webster University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,750. Webster University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. More on Webster University
Truman State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Truman State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,168 in debt. See the full Truman State University profile
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Kansas City
Northwest Missouri State University placed #11 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school based in Maryville, MO. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Northwest Missouri State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,585 in debt. Read more about Northwest Missouri State University
University Of Missouri St Louis did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. University Of Missouri St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. University Of Missouri St Louis Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,943 in debt. See the full University Of Missouri St Louis profile
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #13 position. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. Missouri State University Springfield posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
William Woods University placed #14 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Set in Fulton, MO, William Woods University is a private not-for-profit institution. William Woods University graduates 46% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,340. Graduates carry a median of $25,512 in student loans. Get the full William Woods University report
Fontbonne University placed #15 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Fontbonne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fontbonne University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $33,503. Get the full Fontbonne University report
Lindenwood University landed the #16 spot in Missouri this year. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Charles, MO. Lindenwood University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,600. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,663. Read the full report on Lindenwood University
Avila University placed #17 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Set in Kansas City, MO, Avila University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,750. Get the full Avila University report
University Of Central Missouri did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. More on University Of Central Missouri
Missouri Baptist University landed the #19 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Missouri Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Read more about Missouri Baptist University
Evangel University placed #20 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Based in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Evangel University graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,548. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,876. Get the full Evangel University report
Missouri Western State University landed the #21 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,362. More on Missouri Western State University
Park University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Parkville, MO, Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Park University
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,903. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Southeast Missouri State University profile
Southwest Baptist University did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bolivar, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Graduates carry a median of $24,436 in student loans. Read more about Southwest Baptist University
Drury University landed the #25 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Springfield, MO, Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Read more about Drury University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Missouri
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Lincoln University Missouri placed #26 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Lincoln University Missouri is a public school based in Jefferson City, MO. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Lincoln University Missouri Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $32,831 in debt. Read the full report on Lincoln University Missouri
Missouri Southern State University placed #27 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Set in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $22,241. Get the full Missouri Southern State University report
A T Still University Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #28 position. See the full A T Still University Of Health Sciences profile
Kenrick Glennon Seminary ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Kenrick Glennon Seminary
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Kansas City ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Kansas City report
Saline County Career Center placed #31 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Read the full report on Saline County Career Center
Ponce Health Sciences University St Louis landed the #32 spot in Missouri this year. See the full Ponce Health Sciences University St Louis profile
Urshan Graduate School Of Theology ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Urshan Graduate School Of Theology
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on House Of Heavilin Beauty College Raymore
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Get the full House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City report
State Fair Community College placed #36 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Read more about State Fair Community College
Independence College Of Cosmetology came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Read more about Independence College Of Cosmetology
Renaissance Beauty Academy placed #38 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. More on Renaissance Beauty Academy
Conception Seminary College placed #39 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Get the full Conception Seminary College report
Ea La Mars Cosmetology And Barber College landed the #40 spot in Missouri this year. Get the full Ea La Mars Cosmetology And Barber College report
Skin Institute
Skin Institute ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Skin Institute
Harris Stowe State University placed #42 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. See the full Harris Stowe State University profile
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
St Charles Community College placed #44 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. More on St Charles Community College
Baptist Bible College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Baptist Bible College
Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary placed #46 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Read the full report on Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary
Linn State Technical College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Read more about Linn State Technical College
Mineral Area College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. More on Mineral Area College
Clinton Technical School placed #49 among Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Get the full Clinton Technical School report
Cass Career Center came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Cass Career Center
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 116 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 140 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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