Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-St Louis and University of Central Missouri are the top bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. University of Missouri-Kansas City leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,992, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-St Louis and Southeast Missouri State University award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Missouri: 111, 71 and 65 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 44 Missouri colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences and award 8,894 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
Top 9 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,992 | 111 | 55% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,332 | 71 | 57% | — | $35,750 |
| 3 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,845 | 55 | 54% | — | $27,106 |
| 4 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,783 | 62 | 42% | — | $31,000 |
| 5 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,595 | 24 | 48% | $25,407 | $29,154 |
| 6 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,464 | 65 | 58% | — | $26,875 |
| 7 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,014 | 59 | 58% | — | $28,371 |
| 8 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $48,829 | 7 | 80% | $24,886 | $54,581 |
| 9 | Lincoln University Jefferson City Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $21,282 | 9 | 21% | — | $43,382 |
Top 10 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia College Columbia Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $47,598 | 387 | 42% | $23,247 | $15,960 |
| 2 | Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff Public · Certificate | $28,854 | 449 | 33% | — | $8,875 |
| 3 | Missouri State University - West Plains West Plains Public · Associate degree | $28,365 | 83 | 41% | — | $9,500 |
| 4 | Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City Public · Associate degree | $28,092 | 2,586 | 34% | — | $10,500 |
| 5 | East Central College Union Public · Associate degree | $28,037 | 269 | 48% | — | $8,000 |
| 6 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield Public · Associate degree | $26,787 | 495 | 33% | — | $12,567 |
| 7 | Crowder College Neosho Public · Associate degree | $26,643 | 323 | 49% | — | $7,752 |
| 8 | State Fair Community College Sedalia Public · Associate degree | $26,386 | 339 | 44% | — | $10,500 |
| 9 | Moberly Area Community College Moberly Public · Associate degree | $26,306 | 525 | 44% | — | $10,993 |
| 10 | Mineral Area College Park Hills Public · Associate degree | $25,462 | 340 | 49% | — | $8,273 |
Colleges awarding the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Missouri
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 111 | $39,992 |
| 2 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 71 | $38,332 |
| 3 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public | 65 | $35,464 |
| 4 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin Public | 62 | $36,783 |
| 5 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 59 | $33,014 |
| 6 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public | 58 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 55 | $36,845 |
| 8 | William Woods University Fulton Private not-for-profit | 27 | Not reported |
| 9 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 24 | $35,595 |
| 10 | Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies Springfield Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 34 Missouri colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City | Kansas City | Public | 2,586 |
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton | Public | 1,309 |
| St Charles Community College | Cottleville | Public | 570 |
| Moberly Area Community College | Moberly | Public | 525 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield | Public | 495 |
| Three Rivers College | Poplar Bluff | Public | 449 |
| Columbia College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 387 |
| Mineral Area College | Park Hills | Public | 340 |
| State Fair Community College | Sedalia | Public | 339 |
| Crowder College | Neosho | Public | 323 |
| Jefferson College | Hillsboro | Public | 321 |
| East Central College | Union | Public | 269 |
| North Central Missouri College | Trenton | Public | 152 |
| Missouri State University - West Plains | West Plains | Public | 83 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | Saint Louis | Public | 27 |
| Avila University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Urshan University | Wentzville | Private not-for-profit | 18 |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Truman State University | Kirksville | Public | 11 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Cottey College | Nevada | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | Public | 9 |
| Evangel University - College of Online Learning (Online) | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Culver-Stockton College | Canton | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Saint Louis University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Webster University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Missouri Valley College | Marshall | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Park University | Parkville | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Washington University in St Louis | St. Louis | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Westminster College | Fulton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).
What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees?+
University of Missouri-Kansas City (111 graduates a year), University of Missouri-St Louis (71 graduates a year) and Southeast Missouri State University (65 graduates a year) award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 44 Missouri colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What is the best college for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, University of Missouri-Kansas City leads among bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,992, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-St Louis and University of Central Missouri follow. By degrees awarded, University of Missouri-Kansas City is the largest, with 111 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Missouri-Kansas City tops the list at $39,992. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in Missouri is $76,950 (median $61,860), across about 1,080 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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