Best Online Colleges in Missouri of 2025

Online learning might make education more accessible than you think. Uncover how the best online colleges in Missouri help put degrees within reach.
Doug Wintemute
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Updated December 4, 2024
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Our Integrity Network

At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.

The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.


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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.

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Best Online Colleges in Missouri

#1

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$13,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,447

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,605

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

31,041

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,200

Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,200

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,447

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,605

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

31,041

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$49,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$49,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

19%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,500

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,500

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

14,079

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$49,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$49,800

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$49,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$49,800

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

19%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,500

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,500

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

14,079

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,883

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,766

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,766

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,766

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

83%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,346

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,346

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,883

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Missouri-St Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,154

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,294

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

14,815

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,432

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,432

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,154

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,294

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

14,815

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Missouri State University

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$8,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,910

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,970

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

23,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,910

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,910

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

53%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,970

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

23,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

Cost of College in Missouri in 2021-2022
Institution TypeAverage 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
Source: NCES

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.

10 Top Jobs in Missouri
JobAnnual Jobs OpeningsAverage Annual Wage 2022
General and Operations Managers5,593$101,610
Registered Nurses4,405$65,900
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers3,122$96,530
Accountants and Auditors2,848$71,130
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education2,223$48,570
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2,180$80,400
Management Analysts1,645$88,950
Human Resources Specialists1,569$61,150
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education1,563$52,050
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists1,481$66,020
Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center

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.

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