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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Missouri
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Missouri? Our ranking highlights 140 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College reviewed 35 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Missouri
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found State Fair Community College to be the best-value Trade school in Missouri. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,562 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt. Get the full State Fair Community College report
Out of the 35 schools in Missouri in this year's value ranking, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #2 spot. 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. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies alumni report median earnings of $48,991 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read the full report on Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Central College earned it the #3 place in Missouri. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,916 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt. Read the full report on East Central College
Linn State Technical College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Trade ranking in Missouri. 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. Linn State Technical College alumni report median earnings of $55,901 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Linn State Technical College
You'll get strong value at St Charles Community College, which ranked #5 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. Median earnings reach $42,422 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt. Get the full St Charles Community College report
Moberly Area Community College landed the #6 spot for value in Missouri this year. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Moberly Area Community College
Saint Louis Community College landed the #7 spot for value in Missouri this year. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,325. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Saint Louis Community College
Jefferson College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. 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. Jefferson College alumni report median earnings of $40,782 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Jefferson College
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #8 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,455 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Ozarks Technical Community College
Missouri State University West Plains offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,922 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt. Get the full Missouri State University West Plains report
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #11 spot for value in Missouri this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,796 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Metropolitan Community College Kansas City report
North Central Missouri College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,837. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt. More on North Central Missouri College
Crowder College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 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. Median earnings reach $35,987 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Crowder College profile
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,403 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia has an acceptance rate of 78%. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Missouri State University Springfield offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $49,827 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Central Missouri offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. 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. University Of Central Missouri alumni report median earnings of $49,560 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%. Read more about University Of Central Missouri
Mineral Area College landed the #17 spot for value in Missouri this year. 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. Mineral Area College alumni report median earnings of $35,352 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt. More on Mineral Area College
Missouri Southern State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. 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. Missouri Southern State University alumni report median earnings of $42,620 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Missouri Southern State University
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,030. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%. Get the full Southeast Missouri State University report
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #20 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public school based in Kansas City, MO. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,637. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full University Of Missouri Kansas City profile
Missouri Western State University placed #21 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. Based in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,647. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt. Get the full Missouri Western State University report
Ranken Technical College placed #22 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,955 ten years after entry. Set against $13,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Ranken Technical College
Stephens College placed #23 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. Set in Columbia, MO, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,300. Stephens College Trade students take on a median of $33,326 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,071. That is a strong return on a $33,326 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Stephens College
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Columbia College Missouri placed #25 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, MO. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $29,213. Median earnings reach $45,378 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Columbia College Missouri report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Missouri
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Lindenwood University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Charles, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,600. Graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,278 ten years out. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants. See the full Lindenwood University profile
Avila University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Kansas City, MO, Avila University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $52,773 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about Avila University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,105. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Read more about Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Bryan University Springfield came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. 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. Median earnings reach $28,725 ten years out. Set against $24,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Bryan University Springfield profile
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences placed #30 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, MO. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,991. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences admits about 57% of applicants. Read more about Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
Rockhurst University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit school based in Kansas City, MO. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $24,111. Median earnings reach $67,102 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Rockhurst University
Southwest Baptist University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bolivar, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,566. Typical Trade student debt is $24,436. Southwest Baptist University alumni report median earnings of $43,112 a decade after entry. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%. Read more about Southwest Baptist University
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $70,783. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. Get the full Saint Louis University Main Campus report
Washington University In St Louis landed the #34 spot for value in Missouri this year. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $86,182. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Pinnacle Career Institute South Kansas City placed #35 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. This private for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO. The median Trade program debt is $11,658. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,213. Set against $11,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Pinnacle Career Institute South Kansas City report
Conception Seminary College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Conception Seminary College profile
Lincoln University Missouri placed #37 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. See the full Lincoln University Missouri profile
Harris Stowe State University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Harris Stowe State University profile
City Vision University landed the #39 spot for value in Missouri this year. See the full City Vision University profile
College Of The Ozarks placed #40 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. Get the full College Of The Ozarks report
Four Rivers Career Center came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. See the full Four Rivers Career Center profile
Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri placed #43 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. More on Chamberlain College Of Nursing Missouri
Healing Arts Center landed the #44 spot for value in Missouri this year. Read more about Healing Arts Center
Cox College
Cox College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Cox College
Evangel University placed #46 among the best-value Trade schools in Missouri. Get the full Evangel University report
Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary profile
Clinton Technical School ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Clinton Technical School report
St Louis College Of Health Careers Fenton ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full St Louis College Of Health Careers Fenton report
Barnes Jewish College Goldfarb School Of Nursing came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Barnes Jewish College Goldfarb School Of Nursing
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 35 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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