Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in Missouri (2025)

If you live in Missouri, you may be wondering how you can get a college degree on a budget. You want a quality education but you can't afford to pay the big bucks.

In this article, we'll talk about the 10 cheapest colleges in Missouri, the tuition rates you can expect to pay, and some of the degree programs they offer. Let's get started.

List of Cheap Colleges in Missouri

The following cheapest colleges in Missouri provide a respectable education while providing some of the most affordable college experiences in the state. Keep reading to find out more.

1. Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University is a public school in Saint Joseph. It enrolls around 5,500 students in various undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Some of the available bachelor's degrees include:

• biochemistry and molecular biology
• digital animation
• exercise science
• musical arts
• physical therapist assistant

In-state undergraduate tuition costs $258 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $542 per credit hour.

2. Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin. This small public school offers a large variety of degree programs at a highly affordable price.

Some of the programs include:

• pre-veterinary medicine
• vocal music education
• information technology
• health promotion and wellness
• human resource management

Full-time Missouri students can expect to pay a block tuition rate of $8,026 per year, while non-residents pay $16,052.

3. Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville and enrolls around 8,500 students. It is also home to the Missouri State Arboretum.

Various degree programs are available, including:

• agriculture
• business technology
• cyber assurance
• echocardiographic sciences
• marine biology

Tuition costs are very reasonable. In-state students pay $268.42 per credit hour. Out-of-state rates are $536.84 per credit hour.

4. Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau. Enrolling around 10,000 students, it offers over 175 undergraduate and 75 graduate degree programs.

Some of the bachelor's degree options are as follows:

• anthropology
• aviation management
• business administration
• communication disorders
• physics

All domestic students, whether completing their degree online or in-person, pay the same low tuition rate of $271.70 per credit hour.

5. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri is a medium-sized college located in Warrensburg. It offers a variety of both online and campus-based degree programs.

Degrees include:

• economics
• crisis and disaster management
• events marketing and management
• interior design
• radiologic technology

In-state students are charged $277.50 per credit hour, and out-of-state students pay $555 per credit hour. All online students pay the in-state rate regardless of residency.

6. Missouri State University

Missouri State University is the second largest school in the state with more than 23,000 students. It is located in Springfield.

Choose from various degree programs, including:

• theatre and dance
• animal science
• elementary education
• environmental plant science
• journalism

Tuition rates are $279 per credit hour for Missouri students and $572 per credit hour for those from another state.

7. Truman State University

Truman State University is a small public school in Kirksville. It has a little under 4,000 students and offers 55 undergraduate programs.

Some of these programs include:

• applied linguistics
• health science
• criminal justice studies
• music therapy
• statistics

Full-time students taking between 12 and 17 credit hours pay a flat tuition rate. The rate for in-state students is $9,132 per year. It is $17,532 for out-of-state students.

8. Central Christian College of the Bible

Central Christian College of the Bible is located in Moberly. This small private school offers primarily undergraduate degrees both on campus and online.

Several degree programs are offered, including:

• addictions counseling
• Biblical ministry
• organizational leadership
• youth and family ministry
• psychology of human relations

All undergraduate students, regardless of residency, are charged a flat tuition rate of $335 per credit hour.

9. College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is a small private school located in Point Lookout. The school is nationally known for its work-study program and is often referred to as 'Hard Work U.'

Degree programs include:

• applied nutrition
• conservation and wildlife management
• military science
• nursing
• hospitality management

All full-time students are enrolled in the school's work-study program, which requires them to work 15 hours a week as well as two 40-hour workweeks each year. The work-study program covers the cost of tuition.

10. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri is the largest school in the state with more than 31,000 students. Located in Columbia, it offers many online and campus-based degree programs.

Some of the options include:

• biomedical engineering
• constitutional democracy
• digital storytelling
• geological sciences
• architectural studies

Yearly tuition rates are a little higher, starting at $14,122 per year for Missouri students and $34,322 for nonresidents.

However, incoming freshmen eligible for the Pell Grant don't pay tuition and the school offers generous scholarship and financial aid packages.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

The total cost of your degree depends on many factors. Usually, tuition costs don't factor in fees, room and board, or other expenses; these must be calculated separately.

The total cost for your bachelor's degree may be anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 on average, even among the cheapest schools.

How to Make College Affordable

As you can tell, even cheap colleges aren't always affordable. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Check out the following tips.

Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are both forms of financial aid. They may range in amount from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

You can apply for grants and other aid by filling out the FAFSA. You may have to do a bit more work to find scholarships, as they are offered by a wide range of organizations. Still, the work may prove worth it.

Tuition Assistance and Work-Study Programs

Tuition assistance benefits are offered by many employers. These benefits entitle you to have some or all of your tuition costs paid for by the company you work for. Find out if your company offers this benefit.

If you aren't already employed or are looking for an additional job, consider applying for work-study programs through your school. These programs allow you to work specific jobs to pay for your college expenses.

Transfer Credits

Finally, having transfer credit from advanced high school or community classes can help you complete your degree for less money. These transfer credits are often obtained at much lower tuition rates.

The more transfer credits you have to apply toward your degree, the more money you will save.

Do Cheap Colleges in Missouri Offer High-Quality Education?

All of the schools discussed above are well-respected institutions. Each one provides accredited, high-quality education to help you get the edge in your job search after graduation.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

In-state tuition costs are almost always more expensive than out-of-state costs.

For example:

• Cheapest: Missouri Western State University ($258)
• Most expensive: University of Missouri ($588.42)

Compare to the out-of-state tuition rates below:

• Cheapest: Southeast Missouri State University ($271.70)
• Most Expensive: University of Missouri ($1,430.08)

Find an Affordable College in Missouri Today

If you're ready to complete your education, check out the affordable Missouri schools discussed in this article. With so many options, you're sure to find an affordable degree program to fit your career goals.