Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

James M. Tobin
By
Updated on February 27, 2024
Edited by
Your Future is Waiting

Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.

Person in college

Missouri hosts a large, high-quality education network with an exceptionally dense concentration of private colleges known for their innovation and smaller average class sizes. Students can also pursue online learning at many of the state’s 27 public degree-granting institutions.

If you’re looking into online colleges in Missouri, accreditation is an important place to start your research. This guide explains everything you need to know about accreditation as you launch your school selection process in the Show-Me State.

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What Colleges Are Accredited in Missouri?

Online schools and colleges in Missouri can receive accreditation through a voluntary evaluation process. An independent agency reviews and evaluates the school to ensure its curricula and outcomes meet strict standards. Attending an accredited school ensures that employers will recognize your degree, and it is often required to qualify for federal and state financial aid programs.

Students who attend colleges without accreditation cannot receive federal loans or grants. Accredited schools also typically only accept credits from other institutions with accreditation. The following sections explore various types of accreditation and provide information about identifying an institution’s accreditation status.

Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation applies to entire colleges and universities. As a prospective student, you should consider it a mandatory feature of any school you’re considering. Most accredited online colleges in Missouri are recognized by the Higher Learning Commission.

Programmatic Accreditation

This form of subject-specific accreditation applies only to select departments, subject areas, or degree programs.

Unlike institutional accreditation, subject-specific accreditation is usually optional. Departments and programs that have it usually meet especially high standards, or follow guidelines that align with industry best practices.

Top Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

#1 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Cox College

  • Location-markerSpringfield, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,080
  • Out-of-state$10,080
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,800
  • Out-of-state$10,800
  • Retention Rate100%
  • Acceptance Rate39%
  • Students Enrolled956
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment100%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Webster University

  • Location-markerSaint Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$28,500
  • Out-of-state$28,500
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,500
  • Out-of-state$13,500
  • Retention Rate79%
  • Acceptance Rate57%
  • Students Enrolled9,860
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment48%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Maryville University

  • Location-markerSaint Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$26,070
  • Out-of-state$26,070
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$14,346
  • Out-of-state$14,346
  • Retention Rate83%
  • Acceptance Rate83%
  • Students Enrolled10,013
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment76%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

University of Missouri

  • Location-markerColumbia, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,120
  • Out-of-state$26,991
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,264
  • Out-of-state$25,363
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate81%
  • Students Enrolled30,014
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

University of Central Missouri

  • Location-markerWarrensburg, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,128
  • Out-of-state$14,256
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,524
  • Out-of-state$15,048
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled11,229
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Missouri University of Science and Technology

  • Location-markerRolla, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,120
  • Out-of-state$27,921
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,452
  • Out-of-state$29,558
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate79%
  • Students Enrolled8,088
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment22%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Missouri State University

  • Location-markerSpringfield, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,540
  • Out-of-state$14,850
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,202
  • Out-of-state$10,476
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate88%
  • Students Enrolled23,453
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Lindenwood University

  • Location-markerSaint Charles, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$18,000
  • Out-of-state$18,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$18,000
  • Out-of-state$18,000
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance Rate88%
  • Students Enrolled8,392
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment53%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Columbia College

  • Location-markerColumbia, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,912
  • Out-of-state$10,912
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,602
  • Out-of-state$8,602
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled9,913
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment76%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Park University

  • Location-markerParkville, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,999
  • Out-of-state$7,999
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,012
  • Out-of-state$6,012
  • Retention Rate66%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled11,415
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment78%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

  • Location-markerKansas City, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,920
  • Out-of-state$7,920
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,904
  • Out-of-state$5,904
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate100%
  • Students Enrolled3,038
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment49%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University

  • Location-markerCape Girardeau, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,606
  • Out-of-state$12,636
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,242
  • Out-of-state$9,796
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate86%
  • Students Enrolled10,637
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment52%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Northwest Missouri State University

  • Location-markerMaryville, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,956
  • Out-of-state$10,738
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,004
  • Out-of-state$6,004
  • Retention Rate76%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled7,104
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Missouri Southern State University

  • Location-markerJoplin, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,289
  • Out-of-state$14,578
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,300
  • Out-of-state$6,300
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance Rate94%
  • Students Enrolled5,604
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment51%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Fontbonne University

  • Location-markerSaint Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$26,760
  • Out-of-state$26,760
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,950
  • Out-of-state$13,950
  • Retention Rate68%
  • Acceptance Rate79%
  • Students Enrolled1,199
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment58%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

University of Missouri St. Louis

  • Location-markerSaint Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,079
  • Out-of-state$29,295
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,007
  • Out-of-state$29,477
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled15,988
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment32%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

William Woods University

  • Location-markerFulton, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$23,950
  • Out-of-state$23,950
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,480
  • Out-of-state$6,480
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled2,153
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment41%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Evangel University

  • Location-markerSpringfield, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$23,032
  • Out-of-state$23,032
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,450
  • Out-of-state$9,450
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate97%
  • Students Enrolled2,300
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment41%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Missouri Baptist University

  • Location-markerSaint Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$26,860
  • Out-of-state$26,860
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,197
  • Out-of-state$10,197
  • Retention Rate71%
  • Acceptance Rate61%
  • Students Enrolled5,309
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#20 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri

Drury University

  • Location-markerSpringfield, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$28,500
  • Out-of-state$28,500
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,460
  • Out-of-state$8,460
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled1,743
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment22%
  • AccreditationYes

How to Know if Your School or Program is Accredited

Accredited colleges and universities generally feature accreditation information on their websites. Learners can confirm a school’s accreditation status by searching databases from the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development also provides accreditation information about schools in the state.

The Impact of Accreditation When Transfering Credits

The credit transfer process is one of the most common ways accreditation can affect your college education.

For your existing credits to transfer to a new school, they must come from an institution that was accredited when you earned them. Otherwise, your new school will not recognize them and you will likely need to repeat those courses — costing you both time and money.

Accreditation Criteria for Licensing

While programmatic accreditation is usually optional, there are cases in which it’s required. For instance, Missouri mandates that all professionals seeking initial licensure as psychologists must hold doctoral degrees accredited by the American Psychological Association. Similarly, you need at least an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree to qualify for an engineering license in Missouri.

If you’re planning to enter a regulated profession, carefully research Missouri’s licensing standards before choosing a school or program.

Choosing the Right Online College in Missouri

There are many online colleges in Missouri. The National Center for Education Statistics counts five that exclusively offer distance learning, while dozens of others offer certain programs in 100% online or hybrid formats that blend online and face-to-face learning.

To choose the right school, you need to consider multiple factors, including the following:

1 | Check Accreditation Status

Start researching online colleges in Missouri by confirming the accreditation status of any prospective school. Make sure the school’s institutional accreditation is current and recognized by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

2 | Research Program Curricula and Concentration Options

Assuming you have a major in mind, you can research comparisons of the curricula and concentration options that apply to your degree. Curriculum features and available specializations, concentrations, or minors can strongly impact a program’s relevance to your learning goals.

3 | Consider Program Flexibility

Online colleges in Missouri offer convenience, but some are more flexible than others. If you live near campus, blended learning might interest you. Next, determine whether your online courses use live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous) lectures. Asynchronous formats offer more flexibility since they don’t meet at set times.

4 | Examine Quality and Student Satisfaction Metrics

Retention, graduation, and post-graduation placement rates provide insight into school quality and student satisfaction. However, it’s best not to consider these metrics in a vacuum. Instead, compare them among the schools on your shortlist.

5 | Learn About Costs and Financial Aid

Online colleges in Missouri generally offer a more affordable learning experience than campus-based enrollment. However, some have significantly higher costs than others. More expensive schools sometimes offer better value. For instance, employers may hold them in higher regard, boosting your chances of landing a job or securing higher pay after graduation.

Financial aid programs can also significantly reduce your costs. See how the schools on your shortlist stack up regarding the aid programs and amounts you may qualify for.

Online College Resources for Missouri Students

  • Financial Aid for College

    Missouri’s government operates multiple financial aid programs for students who need help meeting their education costs. This resource connects you with scholarships, grants for Missouri students, and state-specific student loan information.

  • Journey to College

    This resource can help if you have a major in mind but remain unsure of your ideal program or school. The Missouri government’s Journey to College initiative offers a college and degree search feature.

  • High Demand Occupations

    If you’re unsure what to study in college, look into Missouri’s job market needs as assessed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. You might find an interesting profession with strong local demand, which could put you in a favorable position after graduation.

  • Missouri Job Center

    This resource provides Missouri-specific information about wages and salaries for specific occupations, growth and decline projections, top jobs to pursue in the Show-Me State, and more. You can use it to help identify an in-demand career path.

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