Best Online Colleges in Missouri
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With the vast number of online programs available to distance students today, it can be difficult to locate a program that fits each student's personal and academic needs. Because of the wide variation in scheduling options, funding opportunities, available degrees, and concentration areas, prospective online degree-seekers often face a dizzying array of information and choices.
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2022 Best Online Colleges in Missouri
With this ranked list below, we provide some essential points for prospective online learners to consider when looking for a college or university. The descriptions highlight the details that make each online school unique. Learners interested in pursuing a remote degree at one of the best online colleges in Missouri can use this ranked list as a guide to quickly locate an academic program that fits their academic needs, especially in terms of degree offerings, desired timeline for completing a program, and application requirements.
Many students enjoy the myriad benefits of pursuing a degree online. In addition to scheduling flexibility, which offers advantages for both full-time and part-time learners, online programs usually position degree-seekers to save money on tuition and living expenses. Furthermore, most online programs offer students 24/7 access to course materials from virtually any location.
This increased accessibility, without the time commitment and restraints of on-campus attendance, usually helps students finish their degrees more quickly and avoid costly commutes between school, home, or work.
Distance learners at online colleges in Missouri also prepare for promising careers in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an employment growth rate of 1.8% since August 2018 in the Kansas City area, the largest city in the state. Additionally, professionals in Missouri with college degrees can pursue in-demand occupations, namely jobs as information security analysts, software developers, and statisticians, which feature an estimated growth rate of 35% or higher by 2026. As of November 2019, Missouri's unemployment rate of 3.1% is also lower than the national average of 3.5%.
Rankings compiled by the the BestColleges Ranking Team
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Year
Undergrad, in state | $48,100
Undergrad, out of state | $48,100
Graduate, in state | $19,520
Graduate, out of state | $19,520
Saint Louis University, which enrolls 12,000 students every year, offers 56 online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
SLU also features 30 online accelerated and dual degrees in majors, such as in analytics, American studies, biology, computer science, criminology and criminal justice, cybersecurity, data science, engineering, and health management. SLU, one of the best online colleges in Missouri, also features fully online minors, dual-degrees, and undergraduate and graduate certificates.
Applicants can apply for free. Admission requirements depend on a student's status.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $315
Undergrad, out of state | $485
Graduate, in state | $285
Graduate, out of state | $485
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary offers "online learning for the Church" which allows students to attend virtual courses in the Midwest without leaving their ministries.
Midwestern's OnlineYou division features 25 undergraduate and graduate programs in majors, such as biblical counseling, youth ministry, business leadership, and intercultural studies. Symposiums and optional in-person classes at the Kansas City campus let online learners meet their professors and classmates.
One of the top-ranked colleges in Missouri, Midwestern offers seven terms a year with eight-week courses. Students can take full course loads in the spring, summer, and fall. They also complete local ministry work for their practicums.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $500-$897
Undergrad, out of state | $500-$897
Graduate, in state | $449-$897
Graduate, out of state | $449-$897
Maryville University of Saint Louis, founded in 1872, educates roughly 6,900 online students annually.
Students can pick from more than 30 online degrees — bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees — with eight-week courses that admit about 14 online learners. Degree-seekers study fields, such as business, communication, computer science, cybersecurity, education, healthcare, nursing, science and mathematics, or social sciences.
Online learners receive 24/7 technical support, academic help, and career development with mock interviews and virtual career fairs. Maryville does not require any entrance exams or application fees. Online programs begin in the fall, spring, and summer.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $321
Undergrad, out of state | $966
Graduate, in state | $414
Graduate, out of state | $1,135
The University of Missouri — dating back to 1839 — features more than 300 online programs that operate on "semester-based" or self-paced formats. Students earn certificates, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Mizzou's self-paced courses, with open enrollment, give students six months or 16 weeks to complete a course. Semester-based courses follow the on-campus, 16- or eight-week format.
Degree-seekers can choose from courses offered at other University of Missouri colleges, including University of Missouri - Kansas City, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the University of Missouri - St. Louis.
Mizzou online learners can attend in-person or online commencement ceremonies.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Park University
Parkville, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $440
Undergrad, out of state | $500-$897
Graduate, in state | $615
Graduate, out of state | $615
Park University, one of the best colleges in Missouri, offers roughly 650 online courses. About 78% of students at Park take at least one online course.
Instead of having to meet at set class times, students complete online assignments and participate in discussions on deadlines. Most students take about two classes during every eight-week term.
Degree-seekers can find tutoring, writing help, and mentoring through the Academic Support Center.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $450
Undergrad, out of state | $450
Graduate, in state | $450
Graduate, out of state | $450
Webster University, which first launched its online courses in 1999, provides flexible online degrees with asynchronous and synchronous formats.
With more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs, Webster offers courses that either follow the semester schedule, or run on eight- or nine-week terms. Many degrees offer an accelerated format. For instance, the master's in health administration degree lets students graduate in 16 months.
Webster provides online learners with writing help, tutoring, mental health counseling, live development services, career services, and 24/7 library support.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Logan University
Chesterfield, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $275
Undergrad, out of state | $275
Graduate, in state | $450
Graduate, out of state | $450
Logan University, founded in 1935 to educate students in chiropractics, offers nine online and on-campus programs in healthcare.
The private college boasts an enrollment of 1,878 students who pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in majors that include nutrition and human performance, health informatics, human biology, and integrative pediatrics.
Logan offers rolling admissions. Online learners pursuing a bachelor's degree need a minimum 2.0 GPA. All applicants must submit official transcripts. Doctoral candidates must also submit a letter of reference from a licensed chiropractor and a 1-2 page essay.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $379
Undergrad, out of state | $1,019
Graduate, in state | $522
Graduate, out of state | $1,281
Founded in 1963, the University of Missouri - St. Louis features more than 50 degrees students can take completely online or in the evenings.
Students can take fully online courses to earn certificates, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. Online learners use Missouri Online, which also includes the University of Missouri - Columbia, the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and Missouri University of Science and Technology.
As a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, UMSL provides all programs in Arkansa, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Programs may not be authorized in all states.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $257
Undergrad, out of state | $550
Graduate, in state | $320
Graduate, out of state | $640
Online enrollment at Missouri State University - Springfield, has surged since 2014. Missouri State reported a 139% increase of its online undergraduate enrollment and an 87.9% increase of its graduate online learners from 2014-2018.
Students choose from 19 bachelor's degrees, five undergraduate certificates, 14 minors, 22 master's degrees, two doctoral degrees, and 34 graduate-level certificates.
Missouri State offers a free application process on its website or through Common App.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit
Undergrad, in state | $463-$642
Undergrad, out of state | $463-$642
Graduate, in state | $517-$718
Graduate, out of state | $517-$718
Missouri Baptist University, established in 1957, now offers 16 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs. Students can earn associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees that incorporate Christian faith.
MBU provides prior learning credits for students with career experience, military training, or volunteer experience. All undergraduate programs require 120 credits for completion. Undergraduate and graduate degrees feature asynchronous courses with no scheduled class times.
Online students can also access free services that include counseling, tutoring, career development, and appointments at the writing lab.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Feature Image: Edwin Remsberg / The Image Bank / Getty Images
