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Best Value Teaching Master's Degree Schools in Missouri

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2023 Best Value Teaching Master's Degree Schools in Missouri

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

25 Schools Ranked
$13,810 Avg Tuition & Fees*

Today's teaching students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Teaching Degree Search has created its Best Value Teaching Master's Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Missouri to see which master's degree programs offered the best value experiences for teaching students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Teaching Master's Degree Schools in Missouri

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri
105 Total Awards
$5,388 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Southwest Baptist University to be the best value school for teaching students who want to pursue a master’s degree in Missouri. Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Southwest Baptist University are $5,388 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Southwest Baptist University. In 2019-2020 about 47% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Southwest Baptist University

#2

Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, Missouri
537 Total Awards
$7,064 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Missouri State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 537 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Northwest are $7,064 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Northwest. In fact, around 86% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Northwest did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Report

#3

William Woods University

Fulton, Missouri
306 Total Awards
$7,200 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at William Woods University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in Missouri. William Woods University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Fulton, Missouri that handed out 306 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at William Woods are $7,200 a year.

William Woods does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 42% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, William Woods also did well on our Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on William Woods University

#4

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, Missouri
190 Total Awards
$11,593 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeast Missouri State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the medium-sized public school handed out 190 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Southeast Missouri State University graduate students pay an average of $11,593 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Southeast Missouri State University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Report

211 Total Awards
$12,618 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at Missouri State University - Springfield helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in Missouri. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 211 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Missouri State are $12,618 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Missouri State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#6

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
327 Total Awards
$28,550 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 327 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou graduate students pay an average of $28,550 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Mizzou does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Mizzou is ranked #1 for overall quality in Missouri.

Read full report on University of Missouri - Columbia

41 Total Awards
$6,435 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in Fayette, Missouri that handed out 41 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at CMU CGES are $6,435 a year.

CMU CGES does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#8

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
93 Total Awards
$9,924 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Truman State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Truman State are $9,924 per year.

Truman State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Truman State is ranked #4 for overall quality in Missouri.

Full Truman State University Report

17 Total Awards
$6,300 Average Tuition & Fees

Missouri Southern State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Missouri Southern is located in Joplin, Missouri and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 master’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Missouri Southern are $6,300 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Missouri Southern does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Missouri Southern State University

#10

Evangel University

Springfield, Missouri
65 Total Awards
$8,838 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Evangel University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for teaching students working on their master’s degree. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Evangel are $8,838 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Evangel. During the 2019-2020 year, about 31% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Evangel University

#11

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
245 Total Awards
$16,992 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Central Missouri did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, the fairly large public school awarded 245 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at UCM are $16,992 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at UCM, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 46% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#12

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
282 Total Awards
$9,784 Average Tuition & Fees

Lindenwood University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 282 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Lindenwood University are $9,784 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Lindenwood University. In fact, around 74% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Lindenwood University Report

#13

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
76 Total Awards
$6,435 Average Tuition & Fees

Park University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Park University are $6,435 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Park University does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Park University Report

#14

Lincoln University

Jefferson City, Missouri
20 Total Awards
$12,256 Average Tuition & Fees

Lincoln University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. LU Missouri is a public institution located in Jefferson City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at LU Missouri are $12,256 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at LU Missouri. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Lincoln University

#15

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, Missouri
154 Total Awards
$10,670 Average Tuition & Fees

Missouri Baptist University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree teaching programs. MBU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 154 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MBU graduate students pay an average of $10,670 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at MBU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 73% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Missouri Baptist University

#16

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
137 Total Awards
$13,500 Average Tuition & Fees

Webster University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree teaching programs. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 137 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Webster are $13,500 a year.

Webster does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Webster not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list.

Read full report on Webster University

#17

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
127 Total Awards
$27,803 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree teaching programs. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 127 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC graduate students pay an average of $27,803 in tuition and fees each year.

UMKC does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Report

#18

Drury University

Springfield, Missouri
58 Total Awards
$7,714 Average Tuition & Fees

Drury University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

Drury University graduate students pay an average of $7,714 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Drury University does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 83% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Drury University

#19

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
285 Total Awards
$30,756 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 285 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UMSL are $30,756 a year.

One thing to take note of is that UMSL does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Report

#20

Fontbonne University

Saint Louis, Missouri
39 Total Awards
$14,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Fontbonne University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 39 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Fontbonne University are $14,400 per year.

Fontbonne University does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 85% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Fontbonne University Report

#21

Columbia College

Columbia, Missouri
41 Total Awards
$8,442 Average Tuition & Fees

Columbia College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree teaching programs. Columbia College Missouri is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 41 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia College Missouri graduate students pay an average of $8,442 in tuition and fees each year.

Columbia College Missouri does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 87% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Columbia College Report

#22

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
34 Total Awards
$15,696 Average Tuition & Fees

Maryville University of Saint Louis landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree teaching programs. Maryville U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 34 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Maryville U are $15,696 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Maryville U does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 91% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Maryville University of Saint Louis Report

#23

Hannibal - LaGrange University

Hannibal, Missouri
24 Total Awards
$14,250 Average Tuition & Fees

Hannibal - LaGrange University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. HLGU is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Hannibal, Missouri. It awarded 24 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at HLGU are $14,250 per year.

Since the graduate programs at HLGU are primarily online, it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Hannibal - LaGrange University Report

#24

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
35 Total Awards
$22,614 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Louis University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value master’s degree teaching programs. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 35 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at SLU are $22,614 a year.

SLU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 57% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

SLU also took the #2 spot in our Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri rankings.

Read full report on Saint Louis University

#25

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, Missouri
15 Total Awards
$17,104 Average Tuition & Fees

Rockhurst University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Rockhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 15 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Rockhurst are $17,104 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Rockhurst. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Rockhurst University

Best Value Teaching Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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