2025 Top Online Community Colleges in Missouri

Learn about some of the best online community colleges in Missouri, and find answers to common questions you may have about attending a community college online.

Are you planning to attend a community college online? Do you live in Missouri and want to enroll in an in-state school?

If you answered yes to both of those questions, this article's for you. Keep reading as we talk about some of the top online community colleges in Missouri.

Featured Community Colleges Online in Missouri

The following ten online community colleges in Missouri offer both online and in-person instruction, as well as hybrid programs, to meet the needs of a wide variety of students.

1. Moberly Area Community College

Moberly Area Community College is a college system headquartered in Moberly. It has four additional campuses throughout the region and enrolls around 5,600 students.

The school offers an online Associate of Arts degree in general studies. This broad degree program is an excellent choice for students who plan to transfer to a four-year school but aren't sure yet what they want to major in.

This program allows for flexible study habits. All course sessions are eight weeks long.

2. Saint Charles Community College

Saint Charles Community College is located in Saint Charles. It was founded in 1986 and enrolls around 6,400 students.

Various online programs are available. Some of the options include:

Students can pursue either associate degrees or short-term certificate programs depending on their field of study.

3. State Fair Community College

State Fair Community College is headquartered in Sedalia, though it has five additional campus locations throughout central Missouri. It enrolls around 4,300 students.

Choose from a variety of online offerings, including:

  • Associate of Arts
  • health information technology
  • business management
  • medical assistant
  • nurse aide

Some of these programs include fully online coursework but require in-person clinical rotations. Associate degrees and certificates are both available.

4. East Central College

East Central College has a main campus in Union with additional locations in Washington and Rolla. Around 2,100 total students are enrolled at the school.

Students can choose online programs in the following three fields:

  • health information management
  • liberal studies
  • computer information systems

Associate degrees are available in all three fields, and certificates can also be completed in health information management and computer information systems.

5. Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical Community College is headquartered in Springfield and has a total of six campuses across southern Missouri. It enrolls more than 10,500 students.

Several online programs are available, including:

  • behavioral science
  • criminal justice
  • English
  • teacher education
  • business

Most online programs lead to associate degrees, while several culminate in certificates of achievement.

6. Three Rivers College

Three Rivers College is located in Poplar Bluff, with various other locations throughout the surrounding region. Nearly 3,000 students attend this rural community college.

Thirteen online associate degree programs are available, including:

  • communication
  • political science
  • social work
  • pre-law
  • biological sciences

Affordable tuition costs and flexible learning options make this a great school for students planning to transfer to a corresponding program at a four-year school.

7. Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College is a college system with physical campuses in Kansas City, Independence, and Lee's Summit. Around 15,700 students are enrolled.

Students can also complete various degrees online. Options include:

  • accounting
  • graphic design
  • information technology
  • liberal arts
  • health information management systems

An array of short-term certificate and career training programs are also available.

8. Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis Community College is a large public school in Saint Louis. Established in 1962, it now enrolls more than 18,000 credit-seeking students and up to 69,000 total students.

The following programs are available 100% online:

  • business administration
  • general transfer studies
  • accelerated general transfer studies
  • accounting
  • computer accounting technology

Additionally, many degree and certificate programs can be completed in a hybrid format.

9. North Central Missouri College

North Central Missouri College is located in Trenton. It has been around since 1925 and enrolls fewer than 1,500 students.

Online associate degree programs include:

  • behavioral health support
  • early childhood development
  • pharmacy technician
  • fire science
  • occupational therapy assistant

Online certificates in accounting and medical billing and coding are also available.

10. Mineral Area College

Mineral Area College is located in Park Hills and has around 2,600 students. It was founded in 1965 and offers associate degrees and certificates.

The school offers many of its classes in a fully online format. Depending on your particular degree or certificate, you may be able to complete the program via all online courses.

Some courses are available in a hybrid format or may require occasional in-person meetings or exams.

Is Community College Free in Missouri?

All of the community colleges on this list charge tuition and fees for their classes. However, some students may be eligible for free tuition.

The Missouri A+ Scholarship is available to Missouri residents who enroll full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester) in a community college within two years of graduating high school.

The scholarship will cover all of your tuition costs up to $189 per credit hour, allowing you to attend school tuition-free.

How Much Does Community College Cost in Missouri?

Tuition rates vary from school to school. In all cases, in-district and in-state students pay the lowest tuition rates, while out-of-state and international students have higher rates.

Tuition rates generally range from $95 to $150 per credit hour for in-district students. Out-of-state and international tuition rates typically range from $150 to $250.

Missouri Community College Degree Types

Missouri community colleges typically award associate degrees and certificates.

Associate degrees are usually Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees.

Most of these degrees take about two years to complete and consist of at least 60 credit hours. Certificate programs vary but are typically completed within a year.

Career Opportunities for Missouri Community College Graduates

Missouri community college graduates have many options when it comes to choosing a career. Some choose to transfer to a four-year school and complete a bachelor's degree before entering the workforce.

Those who obtain work-specific associate degrees and certificates may begin working right out of school.

Careers they may pursue include:

  • allied health professions
  • technology fields
  • business fields

The exact career a community college grad pursues will depend on their degree and their particular career interests. If you're not sure what field to pursue as you progress through your studies, talk to an academic advisor at your school.

Find an Online Community College Today

If you're ready to start attending an online community college in Missouri, check out the schools listed above. With such a nice variety of options, you should be able to find one that meets your specific needs and interests.