Best colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Lindenwood University and University of Missouri-Columbia are the top bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. University of Missouri-Kansas City leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,942, College Scorecard. Missouri State University - Springfield, University of Missouri-St Louis and University of Central Missouri award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Missouri: 420, 326 and 251 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 41 Missouri colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development and award 2,375 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focusing on various levels and methods, prepares individuals for careers in education. This program is designed for those who aspire to teach or work in educational…
Top 10 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 | $39,942 | 71 | 55% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,314 | 24 | 49% | $17,436 | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,302 | 200 | 75% | — | $20,867 |
| 4 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,066 | 122 | 54% | — | $26,000 |
| 5 | Park University Parkville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,667 | 37 | 38% | $16,013 | $25,732 |
| 6 | Culver-Stockton College Canton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,666 | 21 | 39% | $21,269 | $28,750 |
| 7 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,345 | 111 | 42% | — | $21,850 |
| 8 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,731 | 326 | 57% | — | $23,375 |
| 9 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,392 | 251 | 54% | — | $24,199 |
| 10 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,255 | 420 | 58% | — | $26,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Teacher Education and Professional Development 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 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 420 | $34,255 |
| 2 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 326 | $35,731 |
| 3 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 251 | $34,392 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public | 200 | $37,302 |
| 5 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public | 126 | $33,760 |
| 6 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville Public | 122 | $37,066 |
| 7 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin Public | 111 | $36,345 |
| 8 | Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 71 | $33,531 |
| 9 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 71 | $39,942 |
| 10 | Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph Public | 44 | $33,695 |
ShowHide the other 31 Missouri colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 186 |
| Park University | Parkville | Private not-for-profit | 37 |
| North Central Missouri College | Trenton | Public | 35 |
| Jefferson College | Hillsboro | Public | 29 |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar | Private not-for-profit | 26 |
| Lindenwood University | Saint Charles | Private not-for-profit | 24 |
| Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 24 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | Saint Louis | Public | 23 |
| Culver-Stockton College | Canton | Private not-for-profit | 21 |
| Drury University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
| William Jewell College | Liberty | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | Hannibal | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | Public | 14 |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Truman State University | Kirksville | Public | 13 |
| Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Missouri Valley College | Marshall | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Mission University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Cottey College | Nevada | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla | Public | 10 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Westminster College | Fulton | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Webster University | Saint Louis | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Stephens College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| William Woods University | Fulton | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Avila University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Calvary University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Washington University in St Louis | St. Louis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Three Rivers College | Poplar Bluff | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2011).
Top skills
What Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees?+
Missouri State University - Springfield (420 graduates a year), University of Missouri-St Louis (326 graduates a year) and University of Central Missouri (251 graduates a year) award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 41 Missouri colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development.
What is the best college for Teacher Education and Professional Development in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, University of Missouri-Kansas City leads among bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,942, College Scorecard. Lindenwood University and University of Missouri-Columbia follow. By degrees awarded, Missouri State University - Springfield is the largest, with 420 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Teacher Education and Professional Development 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 $39,942. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Missouri is $39,030 (median $36,090), across about 5,580 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Teacher Education and Professional Development program?+
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focusing on various levels and methods, prepares individuals for careers in education. This program is designed for those who aspire to teach or work in educational…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, learning strategies, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?+
The national job outlook is about +4.1% growth with around 65,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate's 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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