2024 Top Online Colleges in Missouri
Scroll down to see the top not-for-profit colleges and universities in Missouri offering online degree programs.
Want to see the most affordable colleges in Missouri? View them here
Scroll down to see the top not-for-profit colleges and universities in Missouri offering online degree programs.
Want to see the most affordable colleges in Missouri? View them here
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Missouri is the land of online choice! The Show-Me State has tons of public universities with affordable online programs, plenty of scholarships & discounts for distance learners, and a convenient online course catalog for Kansas City schools. In our short guide to choosing an online program in Missouri, you’ll find details on all of these options, plus some important advice on how to check for regional accreditation.
Columbia College recently moved its online programs to what it calls a six-session format. The college delivers classes in eight-week sessions, with six sessions per year - two each in the fall, spring, and summer semester. This accelerated format means students can earn their degrees faster, and because students can register for both sessions of a semester at one time, there's less stress about registering for classes. Columbia offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in subjects such as marketing, criminal justice, and education. A range of related associate degrees and certificates are also available online.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Park University has four associate degrees, about two dozen bachelor's programs, and eight master's degrees that can be completed online. Undergraduate degrees are offered in fields including business, social sciences, and computer science. Graduate degrees include MBA, health care administration, and public administration. Master of Education degrees include leadership, educational technology, and literacy. Online classes are delivered in an accelerated, eight-week format, and new students can start at five points during the year: August, October, January, March, and June. Among the 1,200 online programs survey by U.S. News for its 2018 rankings, Park's online MBA ranked No. 132 and online graduate education programs ranked No. 197.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Webster University offers an array of bachelor completion programs though its online university. These programs focus on the core required classes for a major, and students must have completed at least 64 undergraduate credit hours at another institution before transferring to Webster. Bachelor's completion degrees available in a fully online format are a Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics or in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts in Management or Media Communications. A more extensive array of graduate degrees are available, including master's degrees in gerontology, international relations, environmental management, business administration, human resources, information technology management, finance, public relations, media communications, or advertising and marketing. The School of Education offers master's or education specialist degrees in communication arts, educational technology, leadership, and teaching English as a second language. Webster's online classes are offered in eight-, nine- and 16-week formats and are delivered in an asynchronous format so that students do not have to log in at a specific time to participate. Classes are limited to 24 students and most involve a lot of interaction via discussion boards. Webster is military friendly, offering reduced tuition for active-duty military and first responders and having a generous transfer policy for military credits.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Maryville University offers three undergraduate programs and six graduate programs in an entirely online format through its School of Adult and Online Education. Online options for a Bachelor of Science degree are in cybersecurity, health care practice management, and an RN to B.S.N. completion program for nurses. The three programs are also available in a blended format for students who want some in-person classes as well as online classes. Graduate business students can earn a Master of Business Administration through a one-year, full-time online program, or they can earn the online MBA degree at a part-time pace while choosing one of 10 concentrations. The part-time MBA program offers six different start times during the year, and the university does not require applicants to take the GRE or GMAT exam. Maryville University also offers several online graduate programs for nurses, including a B.S.N. to Nursing Practice degree, a Master of Science in Nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and a post-master nurse practitioner certificate. The university offers a range of scholarships.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
The University of Missouri in Columbia offers more than 90 online degree and certificate programs at all levels from bachelor to doctorate. Degrees are available in fields such as agriculture, business, education, health, journalism, public affairs, and health management and informatics. While the university does offer some self-paced independent study courses, most of the online courses within a degree program run on a semester basis, with semesters in the spring and fall plus a summer session. Classes last for either eight or 16 weeks. Some classes may require live chat sessions at a specified time or require proctored exams, and some programs may have an in-person component. Out-of-state undergraduates in online classes pay a small non-resident fee in addition to tuition, but all graduate students pay the in-state tuition rate. The university does assess some other fees for online classes. Degree-seeking online students are eligible for financial aid. Online classes are not open to residents of Massachusetts, and enrollment in some programs, including nursing and social work, is limited to residents of certain states.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
35,424 Students
Ozarks Technical Community College offers a range of online programs, both for students seeking a technical education and those who want to transfer to a four-year school to earn a bachelor's degree. Technical degrees include health information technology and business. Technical certificates include business technology and marketing. Transfer degrees are available in fields such as interdepartmental studies and behavioral science. The college also has three degrees that are delivered in a hybrid format: dental assisting, hearing instrument science, and biological clinical science. The college uses the ProctorU online proctoring service for students who do not live near campus.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Missouri State University in Springfield offers about two dozen undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a completely online format. Bachelor's degrees are available in fields such as hospitality and restaurant administration, technology management, criminology, finance, business, health services, information technology service management, and professional writing, as well as a degree completion program for nurses. Many of the online bachelor's degrees have a transfer plan designed for students who complete early coursework at a community college, and some prerequisite classes might not be available at MSU. Options for online graduate degrees include a variety of degrees in education and nursing as well as in business administration and project management. Tuition for online classes is higher than the in-state cost for traditional classes, but online classes cost the same whether a student lives in Missouri or not. The school is not authorized to accept online students from Kentucky or Utah. Missouri State provides a computer help desk to assist online students and it has a proctoring center on campus where online students can take tests. Students can also use facilities at MSU's off-campus sites to take proctored tests for online classes.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
22,273 Students
Southeast Missouri State University offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees that are completely online, with no on-campus requirements. Bachelor's degrees available online include business administration, technology management, health care management, psychology, social studies, computer information services, and emergency preparedness. There are several online degrees that allow undergraduates to study a range of topics, such as general studies, which allows students to select mostly electives after completing the university's general requirements, and interdisciplinary studies, which allows students to choose two to four areas of emphasis. Graduate options include an MBA as well as master's programs in management, elementary or secondary education, exceptional child education, technology management, or criminal justice. Several online programs, including the RN to B.S.N. program and graduate programs in management and criminal justice, charge in-state tuition no matter where the student lives. Southeast Missouri State supports online students with an IT help desk, assigned online advisers, online peer tutoring, proctoring services, shipping services for rental textbooks, and a free one-day parking pass if an online student needs to come to campus for a day.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
UMSL|NOW runs the University of Missouri-St. Louis' online programs. Undergraduates can enroll in any of seven degrees, from Business Administration to History to Nursing. At the graduate level, it's all education and nursing. Four MEd programs cover primary, secondary and special education as well as community education. And MSN-holders can apply to the PhD in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. A dozen blended and online certificates for undergraduates and graduates may appeal to working professionals. UMSL's Online Mentor Program pairs graduate students with incoming enrollees to help them get used to the format.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Undergraduate degrees available through the University of Central Missouri's online program include criminal justice, crisis and disaster management, general studies, technology management, occupational education, and an RN to B.S.N. program. Aside from some general education requirements, all the classes for these programs are available online. Additionally, the university offers four 21-credit-hour tracks for undergraduate minors, such as instructional design or religious studies, in an online format. Graduate offerings include aviation safety, communication, criminal justice, industrial management and occupational safety management. The university also offers a variety of online master's and specialist degrees in education, including curriculum and instruction, career and technical education leadership, teaching (leading to a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate), library science, educational technology, and learning resources. Online courses follow the same 16-week or eight-week schedule as on-campus classes but students don't have to log in at a specific time. Students pay for online classes by the credit hour, with graduate level courses costing more, but there are no out-of-state fees. Students can use financial aid money for online class tuition. Online students at UCM can take advantage of the Kansas City Regional Access Consortium for Higher Education, which offers services for distance students.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
14,395 Students
State Fair Community College has two degree programs that can be completed entirely through online classwork. One is an Associate of Arts, which is a convenient way to begin work on a bachelor's degree. Students take their general education requirements and lower-level classes in their major online through State Fair, then transfer as a junior to a four-year school. The Associate of Applied Science in Business Management with a management specialty is also 100 percent online. State Fair also delivers online classes for about a dozen associate degrees and certificates in various health care specialties. Many of these programs require students to complete clinical rotations that can't be done online.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Saint Louis University offers bachelor's and master's degrees online through its School for Professional Studies. These online programs are designed specifically for busy adult learners, and applicants must be at least 22 years old and have at least three years of work experience. Online courses are offered in an accelerated eight-week format, and students may enter the program at five points during the year. Bachelor's degrees include Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Aviation Management, Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in General Studies, B.A. in Organizational Studies, B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Technology, and B.S. in Social Work. Students seeking a B.S. in Security and Strategic Intelligence can concentrate in business continuity, strategic intelligence, global corporate security, or law enforcement administration. Students earning a B.S. in Computer Information Systems can concentrate in data analytics, health care information systems, information security and assurance, or web technologies. The School for Professional Studies also offers online programs leading to a Master of Science in Applied Analytics and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Development. Other departments have online programs leading to a Master of Public Health in Public Health, Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness and a doctoral nursing program.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
The University of Missouri in Kansas City offers a range of online degrees, with the primary focus on degrees in the fields of education, nursing, and dentistry. Undergraduate degrees available online are a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, and a RN to B.S.N. program for nurses. Master's programs include dental hygiene education and nursing, and the School of Education offers an education specialist program in education administration. The School of Nursing and Health Studies also offers a Ph.D. in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Online classes are delivered in several formats, including classes that meet in real-time, asynchronous classes that students can access at their convenience, and blended classes that include an in-person component. UMKC provides services for online students including online tutoring, access to library databases, and career counseling services. The university is not able to accept residents of certain states into its online programs because of state authorization agreements.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
16,685 Students
Students who want to complete their undergraduate degree have several options to do so online through Missouri Southern University. The university also has online programs allowing students to complete the work for a variety of minors, most in subjects related to the online bachelor's degrees, in an entirely online format. The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration allows students to choose an emphasis in accounting, general business, human resource management, international business, management, or marketing. The Bachelor of Science in Health Science-Business/Life-Health Science has a curriculum that incudes courses in business, health science, and life/health sciences, that is appropriate for students who do not have a health profession background. Students who already have an associate degree in dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, radiology, or paramedic can enter a degree-completion program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Science in the same specialty. Other degree-completion programs include a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety, Bachelor of Applied Science (open to students with an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science), and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Online certificates are available in entrepreneurship, environmental health, management, and paralegal.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
5,783 Students
Mobley Area Community College offers the Associate of Arts transfer degree through online coursework. This is a versatile program designed for students who want to complete their first two years of college at MACC before transferring to a four-year school. By pursuing the 64-credit Associate of Arts, students can complete general education requirements while paying the lower tuition costs of community college. The curriculum for this program leaves 21 credits for electives, and students who have a major in mind typically use those electives to begin work on major classes. MACC has transfer partnerships with many four-year schools in Missouri, such as Missouri S&T and Columbia College, to make transferring a smooth process.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Missouri University of Science and Technology offers online graduate degrees in over 15 academic disciplines, including aerospace engineering, business administration, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, geotechnics, industrial-organizational psychology, mining engineering and technical communication. Online graduate certificates are available in 15 different subjects, including business administration, chemical engineering, computer science, engineering management, English and technical communication, mathematics, psychological science and systems engineering. Online doctorate degrees are also available on a case-by-case basis, and the school offers numerous online professional development programs. Online courses at Missouri S&T are delivered via the Blackboard learning management system.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
8,886 Students
Lindenwood University currently offers the following Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees online: BA in Business Administration, BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, and BA in Marketing. The BA in Business Administration program is offered through the Robert W. Plaster School of Business and Entrepreneurship and all core coursework is available online. However, some elective courses may only be offered on campus. Students accepted to the BA in Criminal Justice program can choose from five concentration areas: corrections/juvenile, corrections/probation and parole, law enforcement, law enforcement with police academy option, and legal studies. Lindenwood also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (RN to BSN). The following Master of Arts (MA) degrees are currently available online: MA in Education, MA in Leadership, and MA in Non-profit Administration. The MA in Education program has two areas of emphasis: educational technology and gifted education. Additional online graduate-level programs include: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Writing, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The MFA program offers a 50 percent tuition discount for students who are 60 years and over, and $60 off per credit for elementary, middle school, or high school teachers.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Three Rivers College has two degrees that can be earned entirely through online coursework: Associate of Arts in Business Administration or Associate of Arts in General Education. Both these degrees are transfer degrees for students who want to complete their first two years of college before transferring to a four-year institution. The general education degree is for students who plan to pursue a major in a liberal arts field and allows them to complete the general education courses all public universities require plus some electives. The business degree is for students who plan to study business, and the curriculum allows them to take several business electives during the four semesters it takes to earn the AA degree.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Drury University offers a wide range of fully online programs to students seeking an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or graduate degree. The associate and bachelor's programs are offered by Drury's College of Continuing Professional Studies (CCPS) and are designed for adult learners. Associate of Science degrees are offered in business administration, emergency management, general studies, law enforcement, criminal justice, English, paralegal studies, pre-ministerial studies, psychology, and organizational studies. Bachelor of Science degrees are available with majors in business administration, emergency management, general studies, health sciences, history, human services, law enforcement, organizational communication and development, public administration, instructional technology, criminal justice, sociology, and psychology. The College of Graduate Studies offers six online graduate degrees, all Master of Education programs. Degrees are offered in exceptional children and youth, gifted education, human services, instructional mathematics K-8, instructional technology, and online teaching. Online students have access to a range of services, including an academic adviser who works directly with online students, and access to online library materials. Online students may apply for the CCPS Scholarship, which is open to degree-seeking students who have a GPA of at least 3.0.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
William Woods University offers an array of online programs, ranging from associate degrees to master's degrees, as well as degree-completion programs for adults who want to return to school. Classwork is delivered entirely online in accelerated, eight-week sessions. Instructors design their classes to promote collaboration and networking among students. The university offers six start dates per year, providing students with more flexibility in scheduling their classes, and students who stay enrolled continuously until they complete their degree may be able to take advantage of a program that limits tuition increases. Undergraduate programs offered online to new students or those with some transfer credits include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies. Transfer students who have completed an associate degree in ASL interpreting can enter William Woods' online program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Interpretation Studies in ASL-English. Graduate degrees available include an MBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership and four Master of Education programs. Students who enter the M.Ed. program can earn the degree in equestrian education, teaching and technology, athletics/activities administration, or curriculum and instruction.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Missouri Western State University offers two graduate degrees and four undergraduate degrees that can be earned online. The graduate programs are designed for teachers, and each program also has a related online certificate program. Educators can earn the Master of Applied Science in Assessment with an option in autism spectrum disorders or an option in TESOL. Teachers can also enroll in online programs for a Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders or gain certification in English Language Learners. Applicants for any of these graduate programs must have a bachelor's degree in education or a related field with a GPA of at least 2.75. Undergrads can enroll in the online Bachelor of General Studies Program, which allows adult learners to create a custom degree out of two minors. Applicants must have at least 75 credits with a GPA of 2.0 or higher before entering the program. Undergrads can also enroll in the online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, or Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Northwest Missouri State University offers online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and professional certificates. Bachelor's degrees are available in business management and marketing, and master's degrees are offered in business administration, geographic information science, instructional technology, teaching and special education. Professional certificates are offered in instructional technology, eTeaching and English language learners studies. Additionally, individual online courses are offered in academic disciplines like accounting, agriculture, art, biological sciences, business, chemistry, communication, computer science, economics, education, English, finance, foods and nutrition, geography, geology, health sciences, history, humanities, management, marketing, mathematics, military science, music, nursing, philosophy, physical science, political science and psychology.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
6,593 Students
Cox College is a private institution in Springfield, Missouri, that focuses on preparing students for careers in medical fields such as nursing, diagnostic imaging, occupational therapy, and medical billing and coding. A few of its program are offered in an entirely 100 percent format, aside from any clinical or field experiences that might be required. The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging is designed for students with a background in medical imaging and allows students to specialize in areas such as interprofessional leadership, echocardiography, mammography, or magnetic resonance imaging. All didactic classes are available online. The college also offers a fully online RN to BSN program open to nurses with an associate degree or diploma. The coursework is delivered in eight-week blocks, with two blocks in the spring and fall and one block in the summer, and students may enter the program at the start of the spring, fall, or summer term. The college also offers a 100 percent online program in medical billing and coding, which includes 240 hours of instruction. The program requires students to attend live webcasts of classes so they can participate in discussions.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Southwest Baptist University currently offers online programs in two disciplines - nursing/health sciences and graduate education. The following degree programs in health sciences are available: Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Science (AS), and Bachelor of Science (BS). The AAS degree has online and on-campus components and is designed for certified allied or imaging healthcare professionals who wish to earn their associate degree. Both the AS and BS programs are offered primarily online. Students pursuing the BS in Health Sciences degree can opt for an emphasis in imaging modality or choose the leadership and management track. The university's RN-BSN program is an ACEN-accredited degree completion program that be pursued entirely online. The required service learning component of the program can be completed in the student's home region. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Southwest Baptist University follows a hybrid system of delivery and gives students the opportunity to specialize in one of two areas - nursing education or nursing administration. The online Master of Science in Education (MSE) degree offers an emphasis in curriculum and instruction and in instructional technology leadership. Both programs are available completely online; however, students are free to choose a hybrid system of delivery.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Avila University offers currently online bachelor degree programs in the following fields: business administration, corporate communications, healthcare management, human resources, psychology, and nursing. The university's undergraduate nursing program is an RN to BSN degree accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Applicants to this program must hold a valid RN license and be eligible for licensure in Kansas and/or Missouri. On the graduate level, Avila University offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Management, as well as a Master of Science (MS) in Organizational Management. The MA program has the following areas of specialization: fundraising, project management, and instructional design and technology. Students pursuing the fundraising specialization who are also members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) may be eligible for a tuition grant of up to 25 percent. Students with PMP credential who opt for the specialization in project management can receive up to 10 credit-hours towards the MA degree. The online courses for these degrees follow an eight-week accelerated format that allows students to complete their program much faster. Graduate certificates are available online in the following fields: coaching, executive leadership, fundraising, instructional design & technology, project management, and strategic human resources.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Kansas City Regional Access Consortium for Higher Education (KCREACHE) is a partnership between KCPT and colleges & universities in the Kansas City region. The goal is to promote distance education, so the website features a handy way to search for hybrid & online courses. According to KCREACHE, its members currently provide 700+ courses and 40+ online degree programs. The partnership also links college and university resources so that schools can provide tailored student services for online students.
Member institutions include Northwest Missouri State University, Washburn University, Missouri Western State University, Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, University of Central Missouri, and Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City. It’s important to note that KCREACHE is focused on the Kansas City area, and doesn’t encompass schools in other areas of the state.
Can’t afford a college degree at a prestigious four-year university? You’ve got options! Public universities in Missouri have all kinds of transfer agreements with Missouri community colleges. Better yet, many of these agreements allow students to transfer course credits to 100% online bachelor’s degree completion programs.
Some schools—like the University of Missouri-Columbia & its Mizzou Online Community College Award and WGU Missouri & its 5% tuition discount for Missouri community college graduates—have even developed scholarships and tuition discounts for online students. Talk to your local community college about how you can earn a bachelor’s degree through distance learning.
Thinking about an out-of-state degree? Missouri is part of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), which runs a reduced tuition student exchange program called the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP).
The MSEP homepage allows you to search for qualifying programs by state, degree level, and/or type of school.
Online degrees or courses at your choice of school may or may not qualify for the MSEP discount—it depends on university policies. Check with the Campus Administrator who facilitates the program to be sure. (Any MSEP search result will give you the name of the person to contact.)
The following schools had to meet really tough criteria for quality, flexibility, price, and use of financial aid money to earn the title of Affordable! (You’ll see a CAG Score next to their profiles in our ranking.) If you’re torn between two options, College Scorecard has helpful stats about each institution, including the percentage of students paying down debt within three years of graduation.
MSSU Online covers the school’s distance learning options, but it’s the Bursar’s Office where you’ll find a complete list of tuition & fees for online programs. Under MSSU’s Lion Pride tuition discount, students in every state touching Missouri, as well as counties in Texas, qualify for in-state tuition. This tuition break won’t affect your applications for scholarships or financial aid.
What’s more, MSSU is a military-friendly school for veterans. It participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, accepts credit for military training, and offers in-state tuition to servicemembers and their dependents who are stationed in Missouri.
Missouri State Online has a complete catalog of MSU’s online degrees & certificates, as well as links to tuition & fees. Residents and non-residents pay the same tuition rate for online courses.
While you’re there, check out your extended options at Missouri State Outreach. Here you’ll find info on hybrid programs like Evening College Plus (evening courses + online courses), non-credit online professional development courses, General Education iCourses through iTunes U, and free MOOCs. Adult learners and nontraditional students are also eligible for nontraditional scholarships.
Live in the south of the state? MSU-Springfield has a special relationship with MSU’s West Plains (WP) campus. If you need to stay in the West Plains area, you can transfer to an online Springfield bachelor’s completion program through Missouri State Outreach. As a WP transfer student, you’ll have your application fee waived, you’ll still be able to receive freshman scholarships, and you’ll be eligible for transfer scholarships.
Missouri S&T’s Distance & Continuing Education website will direct you to its online graduate programs (including PhDs and DEs) and their tuition rates. Distance tuition is the same regardless of residency or undergraduate/graduate status. Students enrolled in at least 4 credit hours of a certificate or degree program are eligible for financial aid.
Military discounts are not currently available, but Missouri S&T has a number of distance learning options—at reduced tuition prices—for Fort Leonard Wood military members enrolled in graduate programs through the Engineer Captain Career Course (ECCC). The university also has a Deferred Tuition Program for students who are receiving employer reimbursement and non-credit Professional and Continuing Education Programs, including online training.
Best of all, Missouri S&T has some outstanding online rankings from U.S. News & World Report. It can often be found in the Top 20 of Best Online Graduate Computer IT Programs and the Top 25 of Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs, right up there with names like UCLA and Virginia Tech.
Northwest Online has a full catalog of its online programs, with details about its transfer agreements for students in its online degree completion programs. The Bursar’s Office lists tuition & fees for online courses. Distance learners may be eligible for financial aid. NMSU’s Talent Development Center also offers online tutoring for online students through Zoom and Smarthinking.
UCM Online has everything you need to know about its online undergraduate & graduate programs, including a calculator to determine your online tuition costs. Distance learners pay the online rate for all of their courses, regardless of their state of residence, and are eligible for financial aid.
Trying to improve your career opportunities? UCM offers online professional development courses through Dale Carnegie Training®, ed2go, JER Online, and PBS TeacherLine. Students in PBS TeacherLine courses can receive UCM graduate credits, and certain Dale Carnegie courses are eligible for elective credit.
Mizzou Online is a big player in distance learning, and its website is full of info on Mizzou’s online degree programs. Most courses offered through distance/online programs have the same tuition costs as on-campus MU courses; online graduate students pay in-state tuition regardless of residency. Scholarships and financial aid are available for degree-seeking students. Even better, the Mizzou Online Community College Award offers a 10% tuition reduction for Missouri community college graduates who enroll in Mizzou’s undergraduate online degree programs.
The university is also particularly keen to help military students. For one, it offers a 10% Online Military Tuition Award to veterans, active duty, National Guard, reserves, and their spouses & dependents. For another, it awards veterans some credit for their military service. The school is GI Bill & Yellow Ribbon approved and participates in all kinds of military grant & scholarship programs.
UMKC Online has the full catalog of online programs, along with caveats on state authorization (some programs with internships or practicums may not be open to students in certain states). Undergraduate tuition rates and graduate tuition rates are listed separately; there are separate rates for programs in certain schools (e.g. Nursing). Missouri residents get a substantial discount on tuition, but so do students in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) and certain counties in Kansas (Metro Rate)! Check the scholarships section for funding options.
Course quality is important for UMKC. Faculty are certified in online instruction and all online students have access to free tutoring. The university also voluntarily participates in the Quality Matters (QM) program. That effort has paid off in a Top 20 ranking by U.S. News & World Report for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs.
Whether you’re considering on-campus or online programs, make sure your school is fully accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. National accreditation may apply to distance learning institutions (including for-profits), but regional accreditation is the gold standard—especially if you’re going to be transferring credits or applying for federal financial aid.
Missouri has a number of schools that have appeared on lists of unaccredited universities and diploma mills, which we highlight below. We also take a look at one regionally accredited university with some quality concerns.
Bible University in Jefferson City is an unaccredited Christian seminary that holds no recognized regional or national accreditations and does not appear in the CHEA Database or College Scorecard.
Greenleaf University in St. Louis is an unaccredited online school that holds no recognized regional or national accreditations and does not appear in the CHEA Database or College Scorecard.
Holos is holistic health institution that holds no recognized regional or national accreditations. It does not appear in the CHEA Database or College Scorecard.
This is an unaccredited Christian university that holds no recognized regional or national accreditations. It does not appear in the CHEA Database or College Scorecard.
NAU is a for-profit institution based in South Dakota. According to the CHEA Database, it is regionally accredited by HLC. However, College Scorecard reports that the Independence campus has an extremely low graduation rate and lower than average number of students paying down their debt within three years of leaving school.
QUB is an unaccredited university that holds no recognized regional or national accreditations, and does not appear in the CHEA Database or College Scorecard.
TIU is an unaccredited university that holds no recognized regional or national accreditations, and does not appear in the CHEA Database or College Scorecard. It claims accreditation from the New Thought Accreditation Commission, which is not an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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