This guide provides an overview of online colleges in Missouri and job opportunities for graduates. It also shares resources related to paying for your education, such as public tuition support programs and private scholarship offerings.
About 125 postsecondary institutions operate in Missouri. The state recognizes 27 public institutions, 54 private and nonprofit colleges and universities, and an additional 44 for-profit schools. Thirty-nine colleges exclusively offer two-year associate degrees, while the rest cater to students seeking bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees.
The University of Missouri System enrolls roughly 70,000 students at four major campuses and a variety of smaller education programs throughout the state. The University of Missouri-Columbia, affectionately known as Mizzou, is the system's flagship university and offers more than 100 online degree and certificate programs.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Missouri
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Missouri
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) tallied 125 colleges and universities in Missouri during the 2015-2016 school year. In 2016, the NCES estimated that 401,094 students took classes at a degree-granting postsecondary institution in the state. This number represents a 12% decline in the number of students pursuing higher education in Missouri since 2011, though enrollment remains significantly higher than it was in 2000. Today, students can choose from roughly 90 online colleges in Missouri.[dataviz-stats public="27" non-profit="56" for-profit="50"]According to CollegeBoard, the average published tuition and fees for a public, two-year college exceeded $3,400 in the 2017-2018 academic year. The average published tuition and fees for a public, four-year university approached $8,900 in that same year. Both figures reflect the prices for in-state students.In-state tuition and fees at the University of Missouri totaled $11,008 in 2017-2018, while nonresidents paid close to $26,600 that year. These costs fall in the middle of the spectrum when comparing prices at other flagship universities across the country.The National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs reported that Missouri undergraduate students received a total of nearly $67.5 million in need-based grants in 2015-2016. Tuition support programs that do not require students to demonstrate financial need distributed close to $52 million in aid that year.Generally, public universities in Missouri feature average tuition rates, and the state provides above-average financial support. Students who attend the cheapest online colleges in Missouri may save more money than those who pursue a degree on campus.
Higher Education in Missouri
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Missouri
According to Digital Learning Compass' 2017 Distance Education State Almanac, roughly 126,800 students, or approximately 31% of the state's student population, took one or more online college courses in Missouri. Slightly more than 54,500 students took all of their courses remotely, comprising 13.3% of state enrollment.[dataviz-nces online="12.2" undergrad="11.3" in-state="71.3"]Nearly 36,900 undergraduate students and 17,700 graduate students pursued a degree entirely online. More than 56% of those exclusively online students live in the state, with the remainder attending online colleges in Missouri while living elsewhere.Students attending online schools in Missouri often enjoy the freedom to customize their learning through a mix of online and residential courses.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Out-of-state students seeking to attend online colleges in Missouri should consider participating in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Through MSEP, students living in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin may qualify for discounted tuition at some of the best online colleges in Missouri.Public schools participating in MSEP agree to charge students from participating states no more than 150% of the tuition they offer to in-state students. At the University of Missouri, for example, this translates to a tuition of approximately $16,500 for students living within the MSEP jurisdiction, a savings of almost $10,000 compared to students from states that don't participate.Private institutions may also participate in MSEP, though they often do so less frequently than public schools, especially online community colleges in Missouri. Private colleges and universities typically offer a 10% tuition reduction to qualifying students.Make sure to check with your school's admission or financial aid office to determine if you can receive tuition discounts through MSEP. Even colleges that participate in the program may need to limit the total number of students they serve each year.
Best Online Colleges in Missouri
Below, are our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Missouri. Our profiles review how schools approach online education and list their services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Missouri, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in Missouri or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Missouri
Below, are all of the online schools in Missouri sorted by tuition rates.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in MO with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in their state.
College Graduate Outlook in Missouri
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Missouri
Graduates of accredited online colleges in Missouri enjoy above-average job prospects. For example, the unemployment rate in Missouri for 2023 was 3.0%, which is lower than the national average of 3.6% the same year.However, graduates of online schools in Missouri may face below-average earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that the annual mean wage for Missourians in May of 2023 was slightly more than $57,500. For comparison, the BLS estimated a national annual mean wage in 2023 of more than $65,470. Students who attend the best online colleges in Missouri can often earn significantly more than the state's mean wage.Employment growth in Missouri varies by industry. The fastest-growing jobs in the state largely fall within the healthcare sector and include positions like occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, physical therapist, home health aide, and personal care assistant. Students with a background in information technology may also qualify for rapidly expanding roles in web development.