Missouri Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Aspiring Missouri teachers must complete an accredited and approved teacher preparation program to obtain a teaching certificate in the state. The guide below is designed to help aspiring teachers find quality teaching schools in Missouri. Below, you’ll find a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs along with curated lists of affordable and top-ranked options.
Table of Contents
- MO Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 17 Affordable MO Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Missouri Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Missouri Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 40 Missouri teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Missouri State Board of Education (MSBE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Missouri traditional certification guide and our Missouri alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avila University | Yes | 95 | 17 | 92% | 40 | 10 | N.Av. | $18,711 |
| Mission University (fka Baptist Bible College) | No | 38 | 7 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $17,182 |
| Calvary University | No | 16 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $11,177 |
| Central Methodist University | No | 463 | 209 | 87% | — | — | — | $25,290 |
| College of the Ozarks | No | 89 | 32 | 100% | — | — | — | $7,505 |
| Columbia College | No | 93 | 25 | 100% | — | — | — | $25,954 |
| Cottey College | No | 27 | 6 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $17,630 |
| Culver-Stockton College | No | 54 | 22 | 95% | 21 | 1 | N.Av. | $21,389 |
| Drury University | Yes | 216 | 46 | 90% | 52 | 14 | 92% | $19,190 |
| Evangel University | No | 242 | 53 | 90% | — | — | — | $23,219 |
| Fontbonne University | No | 140 | 38 | 100% | — | — | — | $16,531 |
| Hannibal-LaGrange University | No | 110 | 32 | 100% | — | — | — | $21,025 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | Yes | 151 | 21 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $9,889 |
| Lincoln University | No | 40 | 11 | 82% | — | — | — | $11,574 |
| Lindenwood University | Yes | 485 | 83 | 100% | 96 | 27 | 96% | $18,054 |
| Maryville University | No | 59 | 16 | 100% | — | — | — | $28,087 |
| Missouri Baptist University | Yes | 277 | 64 | 100% | — | — | — | $22,509 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Yes | 205 | 89 | 100% | 10 | — | — | $9,519 |
| Missouri State University | No | 1957 | 365 | 96% | 259 | 50 | 98% | $16,804 |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | No | 91 | 14 | 100% | — | — | — | $13,476 |
| Missouri Valley College | No | 15 | 13 | 100% | — | — | — | $18,783 |
| Missouri Western State University | Yes | 316 | 67 | 100% | 12 | 3 | N.Av. | $10,440 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | No | 974 | 206 | 95% | 48 | 17 | 100% | $13,375 |
| Park University | No | 78 | 29 | 92% | — | — | — | $15,470 |
| Rockhurst University | Yes | 78 | 18 | 94% | — | — | — | $21,518 |
| Saint Louis University | No | 131 | 27 | 100% | 53 | 16 | 74% | $27,872 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Yes | 562 | 208 | 100% | — | — | — | $13,815 |
| Southwest Baptist University | No | 238 | 50 | 94% | — | — | — | $18,202 |
| Stephens College | No | 21 | 5 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $22,641 |
| Truman State University | Yes | 159 | 73 | 99% | — | — | — | $12,621 |
| University of Central Missouri | Yes | 945 | 182 | 96% | — | — | — | $13,394 |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Yes | 1227 | 280 | 97% | — | — | — | $16,930 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | Yes | 137 | 41 | 93% | 52 | 16 | 100% | $16,016 |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | No | 692 | 157 | 100% | 200 | 40 | 100% | $10,039 |
| Washington University in St. Louis | No | 71 | 27 | 100% | — | — | — | $27,233 |
| Webster University | Yes | 147 | 36 | 100% | — | — | — | $23,548 |
| Western Governors University Missouri | No | 113 | 78 | N.Av. | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Westminster College | No | 64 | 16 | 91% | — | — | — | $24,994 |
| William Jewell College | No | 72 | 14 | 92% | — | — | — | $23,039 |
| William Woods University | No | 91 | 13 | 100% | — | — | — | $25,051 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Missouri
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 17 most affordable schools have a net price under $17,000.
- College of the Ozarks ($7,505)
- Missouri Southern State University ($9,519)
- Harris-Stowe State University ($9,889)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis ($10,039)
- Missouri Western State University ($10,440)
- Calvary University ($11,177)
- Lincoln University ($11,574)
- Truman State University ($12,621)
- Northwest Missouri State University ($13,375)
- University of Central Missouri ($13,394)
- Missouri University of Science and Technology ($13,476)
- Southeast Missouri State University ($13,815)
- Park University ($15,470)
- University of Missouri-Kansas City ($16,016)
- Fontbonne University ($16,531)
- Missouri State University ($16,804)
- University of Missouri-Columbia ($16,930)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Missouri
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Missouri
Our list of the top 17 bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- College of the Ozarks
- Columbia College
- Fontbonne University
- Hannibal-LaGrange University
- Lindenwood University
- Maryville University
- Missouri Baptist University
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Missouri Valley College
- Missouri Western State University
- Saint Louis University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Webster University
- William Woods University2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 16 Missouri schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Crowder College
- Drury University*
- East Central College
- Jefferson College
- Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
- Mineral Area College
- Mission University* (fka Baptist Bible College)
- Missouri State University-West Plains
- Missouri Valley College*
- Moberly Area Community College
- North Central Missouri College
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- Southwest Baptist University*
- St. Charles Community College
- State Fair Community College
- Three Rivers College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/