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2026 Best Trade Schools in Missouri
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Missouri? Our ranking highlights 140 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College reviewed 116 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Missouri
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Stephens College this year in Missouri. Set in Columbia, MO, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. Stephens College graduates 20% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,300. Stephens College Trade students take on a median of $33,326 in debt. Read the full report on Stephens College
The strong Trade programs at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #2 place in Missouri. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $21,818. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
The strong Trade programs at Ranken Technical College earned it the #3 place in Missouri. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Ranken Technical College posts a six-year graduation rate of 31%. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Ranken Technical College Trade students take on a median of $13,989 in debt. Read the full report on Ranken Technical College
The strong Trade programs at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #4 place in Missouri. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
A rank of #5 makes Rockhurst University one of the top choices in Missouri. Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit school based in Kansas City, MO. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $24,111. Read more about Rockhurst University
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #6 spot in Missouri this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, MO. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies Trade students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. Read the full report on Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Linn State Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Linn, MO, Linn State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. The median Trade program debt is $11,042. More on Linn State Technical College
University Of Central Missouri placed #8 among Trade schools in Missouri. Set in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. University Of Central Missouri posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Read more about University Of Central Missouri
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Get the full Saint Louis University Main Campus report
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
Pinnacle Career Institute South Kansas City placed #11 among Trade schools in Missouri. This private for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. The median Trade program debt is $11,658. Get the full Pinnacle Career Institute South Kansas City report
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Maryville University Of Saint Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Maryville University Of Saint Louis Trade students take on a median of $24,499 in debt. Read more about Maryville University Of Saint Louis
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #13 spot in Missouri this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public school based in Kansas City, MO. University Of Missouri Kansas City posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. University Of Missouri Kansas City Trade students take on a median of $23,741 in debt. See the full University Of Missouri Kansas City profile
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Southeast Missouri State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Get the full Southeast Missouri State University report
Lindenwood University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Charles, MO. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,600. Graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. See the full Lindenwood University profile
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Kansas City, MO, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Metropolitan Community College Kansas City report
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,620. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences Trade students take on a median of $24,633 in debt. Read more about Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
Moberly Area Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Moberly, MO, Moberly Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Moberly Area Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,507 in debt. Read the full report on Moberly Area Community College
Missouri Southern State University landed the #19 spot in Missouri this year. Set in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical Trade student debt is $22,241. Read the full report on Missouri Southern State University
Avila University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Kansas City, MO, Avila University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Read more about Avila University
State Fair Community College landed the #21 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Sedalia, MO, State Fair Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Typical Trade student debt is $15,328. Get the full State Fair Community College report
Jefferson College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Hillsboro, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Jefferson College Trade students take on a median of $13,664 in debt. Read the full report on Jefferson College
North Central Missouri College landed the #23 spot in Missouri this year. Set in Trenton, MO, North Central Missouri College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Students borrow a median of $16,685 to complete their Trade program here. More on North Central Missouri College
St Charles Community College landed the #24 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Cottleville, MO, St Charles Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. St Charles Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,606 in debt. Get the full St Charles Community College report
Southwest Baptist University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bolivar, MO. Southwest Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,566. Typical Trade student debt is $24,436. Read more about Southwest Baptist University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Missouri
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Columbia College Missouri ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $29,213. Get the full Columbia College Missouri report
Saint Louis Community College placed #27 among Trade schools in Missouri. Set in Bridgeton, MO, Saint Louis Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. The median Trade program debt is $11,424. Read more about Saint Louis Community College
East Central College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Union, MO, East Central College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. The median Trade program debt is $12,062. Read the full report on East Central College
Missouri Western State University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Missouri Western State University report
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Springfield, MO, Ozarks Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Ozarks Technical Community College
Missouri State University West Plains placed #31 among Trade schools in Missouri. Located in West Plains, MO, Missouri State University West Plains is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,936, with out-of-state students paying around $8,106. Typical Trade student debt is $11,250. Get the full Missouri State University West Plains report
Crowder College did well this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in Neosho, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $9,887. See the full Crowder College profile
Mineral Area College placed #33 among Trade schools in Missouri. Located in Park Hills, MO, Mineral Area College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete their Trade program here. More on Mineral Area College
Bryan University Springfield landed the #34 spot in Missouri this year. Based in Springfield, MO, Bryan University Springfield is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,868. Graduates carry a median of $24,421 in student loans. See the full Bryan University Springfield profile
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Poplar Bluff, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Students borrow a median of $11,350 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Eden Theological Seminary ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. More on Eden Theological Seminary
Saline County Career Center landed the #37 spot in Missouri this year. See the full Saline County Career Center profile
Ea La Mars Cosmetology And Barber College did well this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Ea La Mars Cosmetology And Barber College profile
The Salon Professional Academy St Charles landed the #39 spot in Missouri this year. See the full The Salon Professional Academy St Charles profile
William Woods University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full William Woods University report
Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary did well this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary profile
Franklin Technology Mssu ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Get the full Franklin Technology Mssu report
Webster University landed the #43 spot in Missouri this year. Read more about Webster University
Carthage R9 School District Carthage Technical Center did well this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Carthage R9 School District Carthage Technical Center
Pike Lincoln Technical Center ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Read more about Pike Lincoln Technical Center
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #46 in this year's ranking. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Lex La Ray Technical Center placed #47 among Trade schools in Missouri. Read the full report on Lex La Ray Technical Center
Cox College
Cox College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. More on Cox College
William Jewell College placed #49 among Trade schools in Missouri. Get the full William Jewell College report
Bolivar Technical College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full Bolivar Technical College profile
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 116 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 140 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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