2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Missouri
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Missouri? We have ranked 140 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 27 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Stephens College, our #1 best-value Graduate Degrees school in Missouri. Set in Columbia, MO, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,071 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $33,326 median debt. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Stephens College report
You'll get strong value at Southwest Baptist University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bolivar, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,566. Graduates carry a median of $24,436 in student loans. Southwest Baptist University alumni report median earnings of $43,112 a decade after entry. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants. Read more about Southwest Baptist University
You'll get strong value at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #3 this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
You'll get strong value at Northwest Missouri State University, which ranked #4 this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school based in Maryville, MO. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,885. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Northwest Missouri State University
A rank of #5 makes William Woods University one of the best values in Missouri. Set in Fulton, MO, William Woods University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,340. Graduates carry a median of $25,512 in student loans. Median earnings reach $42,401 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,512 median debt. William Woods University admits about 71% of applicants. Get the full William Woods University report
Park University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Parkville, MO, Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Park University alumni report median earnings of $56,309 a decade after entry. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Park University
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #7 spot for value in Missouri this year. Located in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,903. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,030. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants. See the full Southeast Missouri State University profile
Missouri University Of Science And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public school based in Rolla, MO. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,957 ten years after entry. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 72%. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,403. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
Truman State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,280 ten years after entry. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University has an acceptance rate of 84%. See the full Truman State University profile
Missouri Western State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,647 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Missouri Western State University
Avila University landed the #12 spot for value in Missouri this year. Set in Kansas City, MO, Avila University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,773 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Avila University has an acceptance rate of 88%. Get the full Avila University report
Lindenwood University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Charles, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,600. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,663. Lindenwood University alumni report median earnings of $53,278 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. About 57% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Lindenwood University
Evangel University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Springfield, MO, Evangel University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,548. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,876. Evangel University alumni report median earnings of $46,573 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Evangel University report
University Of Central Missouri came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,560. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Central Missouri
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,637. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Kansas City
Missouri Southern State University placed #17 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Set in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,620. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Missouri Southern State University report
Webster University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,750. Webster University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,876 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on Webster University
Drury University placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Based in Springfield, MO, Drury University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Drury University alumni report median earnings of $40,694 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%. Read more about Drury University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #20 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Maryville University Of Saint Louis profile
Missouri Baptist University placed #21 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,660 ten years after entry. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants. Read more about Missouri Baptist University
University Of Missouri St Louis offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants. See the full University Of Missouri St Louis profile
Lincoln University Missouri landed the #23 spot for value in Missouri this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a public school based in Jefferson City, MO. 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. Median earnings reach $39,463 ten years out. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lincoln University Missouri
Rockhurst University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,111. Rockhurst University alumni report median earnings of $67,102 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%. See the full Rockhurst University profile
Fontbonne University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Fontbonne University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,976. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $33,503. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Fontbonne University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Missouri
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #26 spot for value in Missouri this year. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,586. Saint Louis University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $70,783 a decade after entry. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. See the full Saint Louis University Main Campus profile
Washington University In St Louis came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Washington University In St Louis alumni report median earnings of $86,182 a decade after entry. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. More on Washington University In St Louis
Jefferson College landed the #28 spot for value in Missouri this year. More on Jefferson College
Renaissance Beauty Academy placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. More on Renaissance Beauty Academy
Conception Seminary College placed #30 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Get the full Conception Seminary College report
Saline County Career Center placed #31 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Read the full report on Saline County Career Center
Kansas City University Of Medicine And Biosciences ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Kansas City University Of Medicine And Biosciences
City Pointe Beauty Academy landed the #33 spot for value in Missouri this year. More on City Pointe Beauty Academy
Cox College
Cox College landed the #34 spot for value in Missouri this year. Get the full Cox College report
Four Rivers Career Center came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Four Rivers Career Center
New Dimensions School Of Hair Design landed the #36 spot for value in Missouri this year. Get the full New Dimensions School Of Hair Design report
Texas County Technical College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Texas County Technical College report
Lex La Ray Technical Center landed the #38 spot for value in Missouri this year. Read more about Lex La Ray Technical Center
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Ozarks Technical Community College
Carthage R9 School District Carthage Technical Center came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Carthage R9 School District Carthage Technical Center report
Ea La Mars Cosmetology And Barber College landed the #41 spot for value in Missouri this year. Get the full Ea La Mars Cosmetology And Barber College report
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Kansas City placed #42 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Get the full Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Kansas City report
Franklin Technology Mssu offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Franklin Technology Mssu report
Pike Lincoln Technical Center placed #44 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Get the full Pike Lincoln Technical Center report
Missouri Valley College landed the #45 spot for value in Missouri this year. See the full Missouri Valley College profile
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City landed the #46 spot for value in Missouri this year. Get the full House Of Heavilin Beauty College Kansas City report
Evangel University College Of Online Learning came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full Evangel University College Of Online Learning profile
Wellspring School Of Allied Health Springfield placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Missouri. Get the full Wellspring School Of Allied Health Springfield report
Cape Girardeau Career And Technology Center ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Cape Girardeau Career And Technology Center profile
Waynesville Career Center landed the #50 spot for value in Missouri this year. Read the full report on Waynesville Career Center
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 27 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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