Best Online Colleges in Missouri

Missouri counts itself among the most affordable places to study and work in the U.S.

According to PayScale, the cost of living in the state consistently ranks below the national average, from 6% in St. Louis and 7% in Columbia to 12% in Springfield. The state houses accessible colleges and universities dedicated to research, athletic achievement, and the liberal arts. College Boar reports that students who attended public universities paid an annual tuition of $8,500, while students at private colleges paid approximately $22,000. Online schools in Missouri provide even lower prices through discounted tuition, and students living in the state sometimes enjoy still cheaper tuition rates. Distance learners also enjoy access to special scholarships and grants.

Flexibility serves as another incentive for distance learners. Through asynchronous online classes, students can create schedules that allow them to work and take care of their family while pursuing their degree full time. Relatedly, colleges and universities usually offer accelerated course formats that last seven or nine weeks instead of 15. By taking advantage of this feature, distance learners may earn their degree in less time than their traditional peers — generally two–to–three years for a bachelor’s degree and one year for a master’s. Common areas of study include healthcare administration, nursing, business (particularly the MBA), information systems, criminology, and education and teacher preparation. Online colleges in Missouri also offer unique programs in fields such as intercultural studies, fashion entrepreneurship, and creative writing.