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Why This Matters

  • THERE ARE 28 COMMUNITY COLLEGES WITH ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI

    Missouri is home to 28 community colleges with two-year associate programs, according to data from College Navigator.

  • COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS PAID $4,276 IN TUITION AND FEES

    According to College Board, in-district students enrolled in a two-year community college program in Missouri paid $4,276 in tuition and fees for the 2022-23 academic year.

  • 80.6% OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

    The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that 370,718 students attending two-year institutions during the 2020-21 school year received some type of financial aid.

Our Research

This list features some of the best community colleges in Missouri. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included small, midsize, and large colleges as well as trade, technical, and vocational programs. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The colleges on our list are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a reputable organization that examines objectives, quality and overall effectiveness of education programs in the United States.

We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Online College Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The Top 50 Community Colleges in Missouri

Best Community Colleges In Missouri Badge
01

Crowder College
01

Jefferson College
01

East Central College
01

Mineral Area College
01

Moberly Area Community College
01

Metropolitan Community College
01

Cottey College
01

Bolivar Technical College
01

North Central Missouri College
01

Ozarks Technical Community College
01

State Fair Community College
01

St. Charles Community College
01

Ranken Technical College
01

Saint Louis Community College
01

State Technical College of Missouri
01

Three Rivers College
01

Texas County Technical College

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What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in Missouri

One place to start your search for an associate program is by researching the highest-paying jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that air traffic controllers, avionics technicians, and nuclear medicine technologists are the three highest-paying associate-level careers in Missouri.

The jobs with the most projected openings is another piece of data to consider when searching for the right Missouri community college. Preschool teachers, paralegals, and computer network support specialists should see plenty of new jobs between 2021 to 2031. Physical therapist assistants and radiologic technicians rank fourth and fifth, respectively, when it comes to the number of jobs.

Knowing which careers are on the decline can also help you choose the right two-year program. Human resources assistants and embalmers rank first and second for associate-level careers with a rapid decline. Mechanical drafters also rank high on the declining jobs list.

What’s Next?

Learn about the financial aid opportunities that may be available to you by visiting these state and federal websites. These resources are filled with information about the grants, scholarships, and other programs that can help you pay for community college tuition in Missouri.

  • Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Find information about financial aid opportunities at this state website. Learn about planning and paying for college; there’s also info for nontraditional students and students who want to finish earning their degree.
  • Federal Student Aid. There are many financial aid opportunities available for students through the U.S. Department of Education. Find out if you’re eligible for federal student aid with FAFSA4caster, and complete your online FAFSA form when you’re ready to apply for aid.
  • CareerOneStop. This resource has ample information about financial aid opportunities for community college students. Search by state and degree type to find what kind of aid is available along with application requirements, deadlines, and contact information.

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