Best Community Colleges in Missouri of 2024

Crowder College is an institution in Neosho, Missouri, with roughly 4,000 students. Crowder also operates satellite locations in Cassville, McDonald County, Nevada, and Webb City and offers technical classes in Joplin at its Advanced Training and Technology Center. Student housing is available at the Neosho location. The school has a low student-faculty ratio of 13:1. Programs leading to an associate's degree include advanced manufacturing technology, agriculture, social work, and welding. Certificate programs are also available in a range of programs, including advanced emergency medical technician and surgical technology. Tuition is $99 per credit hour for in-district students and $166 for out-of-district students, making Crowder one of the most affordable institutions in Missouri.

Jefferson College is located in Hillsboro, with satellite campuses in Arnold and Imperial. The college offers a range of programs that lead to associate's degrees in arts, teaching, science, applied science, or fine arts. Career training is offered in a broad range of categories, from wastewater operators to cannabis cultivation and dispensary agent. Training programs can open the door to a new career for students or help them advance in their chosen careers. A Small Business Development Center helps businesses in every stage of development, from concept to growth and invention. Customized training programs are also available for businesses through the college's Workforce and Employment Services office. Classes are available both in-person, online, and in a hybrid formula, and adult education and literacy programs are available at no cost to students.

East Central College is in Union, with satellite campuses in Rolla and Washington. It offers four transfer-oriented associate degrees, in arts, science, fine arts, and teaching, along with an associate in applied science and career-technical certificate programs for those wishing to enter the workforce. There are several fully online programs, including A.A.S. degrees in computer information systems and health information management, as well as certificates in the same subjects. The school is primarily known for its healthcare programs. It boasts a 100 percent pass rate for occupational therapy assistant licensure and a 98 percent pass rate for nursing. ECC's Center for Workforce Development designs training programs for business and industry; a Fast Track Career Training program offers job skills programs for those interested in getting into the workforce quickly, with online flexible course schedules.

Mineral Area College has an enrollment of 2,500+ students at its main campus in Park Hills and at its outreach centers in Fredericktown, Perryville, and Potosi. It offers associate's degrees in 35+ topics, including education, nursing, criminal justice, and engineering. Vocational certificate programs are available in 28 subject areas, from global studies to machine tool technology. Dual credit is available for qualified high school and home-schooled students at a reduced tuition rate of $60 per credit hour. Honors programs allow motivated students to challenge themselves intellectually while showcasing their skills and talents. Financial aid is available, including Missouri's A+ Scholarship Program; financial assistance and other services are available for veterans and their families. A housing complex, College Park, provides an on-campus living experience for students.

Moberly Area Community College is a multi-campus college with a main campus in Moberley and satellite campuses in Columbia, Hannibal, Kirksville, and Mexico. The college offers a range of 40+ areas of study, some of which are available as online programs, including business, fine arts, and medical laboratory technician. Associate of art and associate of science programs are designed to allow students to transfer easily to a college or university following graduation or to advance in their professional careers. An associate of applied science degree includes vocational offerings such as agriculture technology and mechatronics. Workforce training programs include professional truck driving, fire academy, and manufacturing technician. MACC offers qualifying students the opportunity to study abroad in Great Britain, and an honors program challenges students to excel in their coursework.

North Central Missouri College's main campus is in Trenton, with satellite presences in Barton, Bethany, Maryville, and North Belt Center, with a new location opening in Savannah in 2023. They offer several degrees, fully or partly online. For students interested in transferring to a four-year college after graduation, there are four primary degrees: an associate in art, an associate of arts in teaching, an associate in science, and an associate in general studies. An associate in applied science and certificate programs prepare students for professional careers. The school is particularly strong in its agricultural programs, which include an agriculture and natural resources A.A.S., an equine management certificate, and an agricultural business certificate. Students may use the facilities of the NCMC's Barton Farm Campus, an applied learning environment that demonstrates agriculture production practices and conservation of agricultural and natural resources.