Best Online Colleges in Missouri
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Are you considering one or more online colleges in Missouri? Remote learning makes it easier than ever to earn a degree and the state is home to many institutions with credible academic programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Prospective students are able to select from a wide variety of majors, minors, and professional certificates.

Online colleges and universities in Missouri have a lot to offer. Not only do students benefit from flexible scheduling, but they will also gain the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain employment. Degrees, even at the associate level, make candidates more competitive in the job market. In general, employers are more likely to hire individuals who possess degrees than they are those who do not. This is because graduates are perceived as better qualified and prepared to succeed in the workplace. Earning an online degree can also improve earning potential.

As of March 2022, the civilian labor force in Missouri was 3,087,759. Of these employable individuals, 2,978,012 had jobs and 114,288 did not. The resulting unemployment rate for the state was 3.6, down significantly from the high of 11.2 in April 2020. The state’s lowest unemployment rate since 2012 was 2.9, which it sustained from May 2019 to July 2019.

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Online Higher Education in Missouri

There were a total of 346,402 students enrolled in Missouri colleges and universities during the 2021-2022 academic year. This includes 272,363 undergraduate and 74,039 graduate school students. More than a third of students were enrolled part-time.

Many students in Missouri do take advantage of distance learning opportunities. A total of 103,251 students attended online classes exclusively, while another 128,096 were enrolled in some online classes. The remaining 115,055 students received instruction in person only. This means that over 66% of undergraduate and graduate students in the state took at least one online class during the 2020-2021 academic year.

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In 2022, the average cost of undergraduate tuition and fees was $6,499 per academic year for Michigan residents. Non-residents paid more, however, with average tuition and fees of $12,373 for the same period. Notably, master’s program tuition is higher. In-state graduate students paid an average of $9,202, while the average cost of out-of-state graduate students was $17,265. Urshan College had the lowest rates and Washington University in St. Louis had the highest rates.

Prospective students should also anticipate paying for general living expenses, books, and supplies. In 2022, the average cost of books and supplies was $1,941. This is a significant increase from the year before, when the average was only $1,242. Additionally, the average living costs of Missouri colleges and universities was $13,467 for students staying on campus and $14,501 for students staying off campus.

Online colleges in Missouri can help students save money while working toward degrees. Many institutions charge lower tuition and fee rates for distance learners. At the very least, these students do not have to pay campus parking and activity fees typically required of traditional attendees. Those attending classes remotely are also still capable of applying for financial aid. In fact, online students are encouraged to complete and submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms regardless of their enrollment status. Online students can also apply for independent and institutional scholarships.

Our School Rankings Methodology

Prospective students often use college and university rankings when deciding which academic programs to pursue. Referencing the information provided can prove very beneficial when comparing options. Ideally, students will utilize the data to ensure their degree selections suit their personal, academic, and professional goals.

Our team uses a proprietary ratings system to rank the Missouri schools offering online degree programs. This increases accuracy and ensures that the results are applicable to every type of student.

Some of the data types utilized to generate our rankings include:

  • Average Graduate Salary
  • Graduation Rate
  • Net Price
  • Reputation
  • Retention Rate
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio

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Additionally, we focus our list only on colleges and universities that are properly accredited and offer credible online courses. We are thorough in our investigations and assessments so students can trust our picks for top online academic options in Missouri. We also carefully consider the overall the quality and affordability of each institution before adding it to the list.

What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in Missouri?

Best Online Associates & Community Colleges In Missouri badge
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There are several online community colleges in Missouri. Most of these institutions award two-year associate degrees. Both residents and non-residents can take advantage of the courses offered, with majors available in a wide variety of subjects. Prospective students can benefit from flexible scheduling options. While exact costs will vary, many schools of this type are very affordable.

Those who graduate with degrees from online community college programs in Missouri often have the knowledge and skills necessary to apply for entry-level employment opportunities within their chosen fields. Graduates can also transfer the credits they have earned to other four-year institutions. Associate degrees typically equate to two years of undergraduate education, which is about half of bachelor’s degrees. Most colleges and universities accept up to 60 or 90 transfer credits from accredited institutions.

St. Charles Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
6,014		 Graduation Rate
29%		 Net Price
$3,649		 Grads Salary
$39,800
North Central Missouri College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
1,591		 Graduation Rate
49%		 Net Price
$9,076		 Grads Salary
$32,301
East Central College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,649		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$7,601		 Grads Salary
$34,300
Crowder College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
4,401		 Graduation Rate
35%		 Net Price
$4,695		 Grads Salary
$32,600
Ozarks Technical Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
11,237		 Graduation Rate
32%		 Net Price
$5,938		 Grads Salary
$34,060
State Fair Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
3,928		 Graduation Rate
33%		 Net Price
$6,343		 Grads Salary
$33,100
Mineral Area College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,410		 Graduation Rate
40%		 Net Price
$8,904		 Grads Salary
$31,300
Moberly Area Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
4,878		 Graduation Rate
34%		 Net Price
$6,743		 Grads Salary
$31,900
Missouri State University-West Plains
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
1,920		 Graduation Rate
30%		 Net Price
$8,100		 Grads Salary
$33,100
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
13,085		 Graduation Rate
27%		 Net Price
$7,170		 Grads Salary
$31,200
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What are the Best Online Universities & College Programs in Missouri?

Best Online Colleges In Missouri
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There are also many colleges and universities in Missouri that offer online classes and degree program. Depending on the institutions, students can choose to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees remotely, as well as some professional certificates. While some fields are less conducive to distance learning than others, students can choose from a wide variety of majors and minors. Those enrolled will also enjoy flexible scheduling and affordable tuition rates.

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Missouri University of Science and Technology
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
7,642		 Graduation Rate
67%		 Net Price
$13,476		 Grads Salary
$82,000
University of Missouri
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
31,089		 Graduation Rate
73%		 Net Price
$16,930		 Grads Salary
$69,000
University of Missouri-St. Louis
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
13,874		 Graduation Rate
56%		 Net Price
$10,039		 Grads Salary
$66,000
Central Methodist University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
3,429		 Graduation Rate
44%		 Net Price
$12,435		 Grads Salary
$64,000
University of Central Missouri
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
9,959		 Graduation Rate
51%		 Net Price
$13,394		 Grads Salary
$70,000
Northwest Missouri State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
7,267		 Graduation Rate
54%		 Net Price
$13,375		 Grads Salary
$65,000
University of Missouri-Kansas City
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
16,147		 Graduation Rate
54%		 Net Price
$16,016		 Grads Salary
$71,000
Maryville University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
10,979		 Graduation Rate
75%		 Net Price
$28,087		 Grads Salary
$74,000
Fontbonne University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
1,112		 Graduation Rate
66%		 Net Price
$16,531		 Grads Salary
$60,000
Saint Louis University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
12,229		 Graduation Rate
79%		 Net Price
$27,872		 Grads Salary
$70,000
Full Ranking Report

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