Best Online Colleges in Missouri
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Missouri’s college system and educational attainment rates have taken huge strides in the last few years. The state has introduced several financial aid programs for students in need while also looking to improve equity and representation.
An increase in online colleges in Missouri has also helped. With little to no travel requirements and more schedule flexibility, online programs help busy students pursue degrees they might otherwise not.
We’ll help you find the best online colleges in Missouri to accommodate students of every kind, offering diverse, flexible, and affordable program options.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Missouri
- In-State$10,017
- Out-of-state$28,992
- In-State$9,950
- Out-of-state$27,245
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled31,401
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$48,100
- Out-of-state$48,100
- In-State$21,960
- Out-of-state$21,960
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled13,474
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled10,596
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Missouri State University-Springfield
- Springfield, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,196
- Out-of-state$15,400
- In-State$5,760
- Out-of-state$11,520
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled22,925
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,015
- Out-of-state$30,570
- In-State$12,528
- Out-of-state$30,756
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled15,189
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$28,500
- Out-of-state$28,500
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled6,779
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Cost of College in Missouri
The tuition costs in Missouri are quite similar to the national averages for in-state public colleges. For out-of-state and private school students, however, the state’s tuition prices are considerably lower — nearly $5,000 lower for private schools.
Several factors can affect the cost of your education, including attending an online college in Missouri. For example, schools may offer tuition discounts to online students, particularly those out of state.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-year (In-State) | $9,944 |
| Public 4-year (Out-of-State) | $22,812 |
| Private 4-year | $28,965 |
| Public 2-year (In-State) | $3,909 |
| Public 2-year (Out-of-State) | $7,289 |
10 Top Jobs in Missouri
In Missouri, the top jobs come from various industries, including business, healthcare, information technology, and education. These jobs not only have the highest number of annual job openings, but they also have high average annual wages.
The one thing the following careers have in common is that they all require at least a bachelor’s degree. As a result, many of Missouri’s online universities run programs in these fields to satisfy the ongoing demand.
| Job | Annual Jobs Openings | Average Annual Wage 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 5,593 | $101,610 |
| Registered Nurses | 4,405 | $65,900 |
| Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 3,122 | $96,530 |
| Accountants and Auditors | 2,848 | $71,130 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 2,223 | $48,570 |
| Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 2,180 | $80,400 |
| Management Analysts | 1,645 | $88,950 |
| Human Resources Specialists | 1,569 | $61,150 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,563 | $52,050 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 1,481 | $66,020 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Missouri
Online colleges in Missouri are not free, but several schools offer free tuition to eligible students. For example, the University of Missouri and the University of Missouri, Kansas City offer free tuition pathways for students eligible for Pell Grants. Also, Missouri State University, West Plains offers free tuition for adult students in certain programs with financial need.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 20, 2024.
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