Best Community Colleges in Missouri

For many, community colleges are an appealing and accessible path to higher education. About 4.5 million students enrolled in public community colleges in spring 2021, according to estimates compiled by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

These students pursued associate and technical degrees, either to help them jump-start their careers or transfer to a four-year school. Many students chose to enroll in online community colleges as well.

In Missouri, attending community college can prepare students to enter fast-growing industries in the state, including healthcare and professional services. If you’re interested in earning an associate degree in the Show-Me State, you can learn about the best community colleges in Missouri with this guide.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Missouri is home to several community colleges in both major and smaller cities, making education accessible to many. The A+ Program offers scholarships to community college students who excelled in Missouri high schools.

Additionally, associate degree graduates can transfer their credits to one of Missouri’s four-year colleges. Missouri’s public universities include the University of Missouri system, Missouri State University, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology, among many others. Students can also transfer to highly ranked private schools, like Washington University in St. Louis.

Although U.S. News & World Report ranks Missouri in the middle of the 50 states for its economy —it ranks 23rd overall — Missouri excels in some specific areas. For instance, it ranks fourth in opportunity, or the ability for upward mobility. U.S. News & World Report also ranks Missouri as the 11th best state for businesses and the 15th best state for fiscal stability.

The cost of living in Missouri remains relatively low, making it a great state for people who are more money conscious. U.S. News & World Report ranks Missouri as the fifth most affordable state, considering both housing costs and day to day expenses.

Like any state, certain areas come with a higher price tag for daily expenses than others. Larger cities like St. Louis or Kansas City may prove more expensive than smaller cities, towns, or rural areas.

Students can find cultural and community offerings in many of Missouri’s cities and towns. Kansas City is known for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the jazz scene at 18th and Vine, and a thriving local music culture. St. Louis also offers several museums, the Gateway Arch, and one of the best-ranked zoos in the country. Plus, students can blow off steam at Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the city.

You can find plenty of culture in smaller cities too — you can find live theater in Springfield, and Columbia hosts the Roots N Blues music festival and the True/False documentary film festival.

If you enjoy all four seasons, Missouri could be a good fit. With a humid continental climate, Missouri’s summers tend to be hot and its winters can seem cold. At the same time, temperatures and weather can change day to day without much warning — it’s not uncommon to find yourself freezing on a day in February, and then enjoying 60 degrees and sunshine a few days later. Missouri also frequently sees tornados in late spring.

About three million people work in Missouri’s labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These individuals work in some of the state’s biggest industries, including food processing, chemicals, printing/publishing, electrical equipment, aerospace, and beer.

The Missouri state government lists the three industries with the highest levels of employment growth as healthcare, professional services, and construction. So it comes as no surprise that some of Missouri’s top employers are major healthcare organizations, such as the Mercy Healthcare System, BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and St. Luke’s Hospital System.

With that in mind, you can find five jobs projected to see growth over the next decade in Missouri listed below.

Annual Median Salary: $63,710

Job Outlook: 12.5% growth from 2018 to 2028

The healthcare industry comes with several job opportunities. Radiologic and MRI technicians carry out x-rays and other diagnostic imaging procedures on patients. They operate complex machinery and make sure patients remain safe in the meantime. These professionals need an associate degree in the field.

Annual Median Salary: $37,350

Job Outlook: 19.8% growth from 2018 to 2028

Another in-demand occupation in the healthcare field, medical administrative assistants take care of the important documentation when it comes to patients. They send patients bills, schedule appointments, and handle medical records. Their jobs are secretarial in nature, but they need specialized medical and healthcare knowledge that they learn while studying for an associate degree.

Annual Median Salary: $52,920

Job Outlook: 14.7% growth from 2018 to 2028

Paralegals and legal assistants take on many tasks to support lawyers. They carry out legal research, collect facts for cases, write drafts of documents, write summaries of cases for lawyers, and keep everything organized. This role requires good communication, organizational skills, and research skills. To qualify for this job, individuals usually need an associate degree in paralegal studies.

Annual Median Salary: $75,330

Job Outlook: 16.2% growth from 2018 to 2028

Nursing is a growing industry across the U.S., including Missouri. Registered nurses (RNs) play vital roles in the healthcare industry, providing patient care in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. RNs can obtain licensure with either an associate or bachelor’s degree. Some nurses with associate degrees go on to continue their education to become a nurse leader or nurse practitioner.