Business Schools in Missouri

    One of the most geographically centralized states in the country, Missouri, straddles the line between the American Midwest and the Great Plains. The state earned the nickname “Gateway to the West” due to it being a popular launching point for expeditions heading west in the 1800s. This historical role is commemorated by the Gateway Arch, the famous landmark in Missouri’s largest city, St. Louis. The state has a balanced economy that features natural resources, agriculture, manufacturing, and services; this includes a growing technology industry.

    According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) statistics, 42 public and non-profit institutions offer business degrees. Of these, 28 offer accredited programs at the undergraduate level and 21 at the graduate level, giving the state a good percentage of accredited schools. This is important because accreditation provides you with the assurance that the program you select has clearly stated objectives. The school has proven that its program produces quality outcomes while adhering to national and international standards. Accredited schools also typically offer ways to get real-world experience through interaction with actual businesses.

    All of the schools in this article have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and/or International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). They are all public or non-profit and also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

    This article provides you with the data you need to choose the ideal Missouri business school for your needs based on various key factors: tuition, financial aid, entrance exam scores, acceptance rates, and more. The three sections that follow describe undergraduate programs, graduate schools, and the job prospects for business school graduates in Missouri.

    Best Business Schools in Missouri

    Best business schools in Missouri according to US News data.

    • University of Missouri – #59 in Best Business Schools, #79 in Best Undergraduate Business Schools, #87 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #129 in Top National Universities, #61 in Top Public Schools
    • Washington University in St. Louis – #23 in Best Business Schools, #22 in Top Part-time MBA Programs, #14 in Best Undergraduate Business Schools, #19 in Top National Universities, #20 in Best Value Schools
    • Drury University – #29 in Best Regional universities Midwest, #19 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #26 in Best Value Schools
    • St. Louis University – #163 in Top Part-time MBA Programs, #28 in Graduate Accounting Programs, #87 in Best Undergraduate Business School Programs, #68 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #106 in Top National Universities
    • Southeast Missouri State University – #85 in Best Online MBA Programs, #67 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs, #20 in Top Public Schools, #90 in Top Regional Universities Midwest

    Undergraduate Business Schools in Missouri

    Missouri offers a fine range of business education options, including a nationally top-ranked school, several regionally high-ranked institutions, and a wide variety of smaller and more affordable options. The overall average tuition cost in Missouri is just over $17,000, which is in the moderate range and typical for the state’s region. The most expensive school is the just-mentioned top-ranked one, Washington University in St. Louis (commonly abbreviated WUSTL), with tuition just south of $50,000. Saint Louis University and Rockhurst University follow at $40,700 and $35,700 respectively. The other 25 schools are all under $28,000, and 14 of those are under $10,000, providing many low-cost opportunities. Average financial aid is about $10,700, which is a little on the low side as a whole, but many schools offer maximum financial aid close to their tuition costs.

    Acceptance rates are quite high in Missouri, which is good news for prospective students. The overall average acceptance rate for the 23 schools for which we have data is 73%, with all but one over 50% and 16 of the 23 over 70%. The exception is WUSTL, with a much more competitive 17% acceptance rate. When that school is excluded, the average of the other 22 is 75%, an impressively high figure.

    Graduation rates for undergraduate business degrees in Missouri tend to be low to moderate. The overall average for the 26 schools for which we have data is 53%; the highest rate, 94%, is at WUSTL, followed by the Missouri University of Science & Technology at 83%. The lowest rate is just 5.6% at Harris-Stowe State University; this figure is much lower than most schools, apparently because the school does not count transfer students or those with associate degrees. The two best combinations of acceptance rate and graduate rate can be found at the Missouri University of Science & Technology (84% and 83% respectively) and Maryville University (93% and 75%).

    Popular undergraduate programs in Missouri: Online Bachelor’s in Accounting | Online Bachelor’s in Business | Online Bachelor’s in Finance

    The table below shows you all the important data you need about undergraduate business schools in Missouri, including annual in-state tuition costs, average aid per student, acceptance rates, SAT and ACT score ranges of accepted students, and graduation rates. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.

    SchoolCityTuitionAidMedian SATMedian ACTAccept. RateGrad. Rate
    Avila UniversityKansas City$27,312$13,851880-102019-2356%45%
    Columbia CollegeColumbia$20,936$4,59230%
    Culver-Stockton CollegeCanton$25,415$17,298850-100018-2358%47%
    Drury UniversitySpringfield$25,905$9,2661010-122022-2870%54%
    Evangel UniversitySpringfield$22,081$11,599910-113020-2675%54%
    Fontbonne UniversitySt. Louis$24,610$12,20020-2590%52%
    Harris-Stowe State UniversitySt. Louis$5,220$5,7366%
    Lincoln University of MissouriJefferson City$7,632$7,801
    Lindenwood UniversitySt. Charles$16,332$7,701920-113020-2555%49%
    Maryville UniversitySt. Louis$27,958$15,600900-115022-2793%75%
    Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin$5,523$5,24418-2494%30%
    Missouri State UniversitySpringfield$7,060$5,382955-122821-2684%55%
    Missouri University of Science & TechnologyRolla$9,246$8,975550-67025-3084%83%
    Missouri Western State UniversitySt. Joseph$7,330$6,69330%
    Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville$7,343$6,961880-111020-2574%49%
    Park UniversityParkville$12,130$4,45085%23%
    Rockhurst UniversityKansas City$35,670$23,730986-116623-2874%72%
    Saint Louis UniversitySt. Louis$40,726$21,1611110-133025-3165%74%
    Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau$6,990$5,430878-113620-2583%49%
    Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar$22,508$12,240860-110019-2590%46%
    Three Rivers CollegePoplar Bluff$5,190$4,344
    Truman State UniversityKirksville$7,456$7,8641070-133024-3068%72%
    University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$7,342$5,75420-2575%53%
    University of MissouriColumbia$9,518$8,5611020-129023-2975%68%
    University of MissouriKansas City$7,846$7,217980-130021-2862%48%
    University of MissouriSt. Louis$9,590$12,471532-61221-2776%79%
    Washington University in St. LouisSt. Louis$49,770$31,9071400-157032-3417%94%
    William Woods UniversityFulton$23,040$14,823860-112019-2570%54%

    Graduate Business Schools in Missouri

    We have data for 21 accredited colleges for master’s level business study in Missouri. MBA tuitions are quite low, with a couple of exceptions. The overall average cost is only $25,700, which includes the $107,000 cost at Washington University in St. Louis (currently a top 25 MBA program nationwide). Excluding that school, Saint Louis University ($55,400) and the University of Missouri Kansas City ($50,000), the average for the other 18 schools is just $18,300, and all are below $30,000.

    We have average admission GMAT scores for 12 of our schools. Most fall into the range of 449 to 572, making them fairly easy to enter. The University of Missouri Columbia is significantly higher at 648, and both WUSTL and Missouri Western State University higher still at 700. We have data on the percentage of full-time faculty with doctorate degrees for 11 schools. The University of Central Missouri has the lowest percentage (69%); the other 10 are nearly 75%, with 8 over 80%. WUSTL has the highest figure, at 94.6%.

    There are several options for online MBA programs in Missouri that are worth considering by those who want to further their educations while staying on their career tracks. The Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) offers a highly regarded online MBA aimed at working professionals and executives ranked #55 in the nation by US News and World Report. Missouri State University offers a fully online MBA program with the same tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students.

    Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri also offer online MBAs.
    Most online programs offer the same basic curriculum and courses as their offline equivalents.

    Popular graduate programs in Missouri: Online MBA Programs in International Business | Online MBA Programs in Data Analytics | Online MBA in Information Systems Management

    The table below shows graduate business school tuition costs, average accepted applicant GMAT scores, percentage of faculty with a doctorate, and student-to-faculty ratios. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.

    SchoolCityTuitionAvg. GMATFaculty
    with Doct.
    Degree
    Student/
    Faculty
    Drury UniversitySpringfield$24,18952083%1.81
    Fontbonne UniversitySt. Louis$27,144
    Lincoln University of MissouriJefferson City$10,476
    Lindenwood UniversitySt. Charles$27,300
    Maryville UniversitySt. Louis$26,325
    Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin$10,500
    Missouri State UniversitySpringfield$11,2915613.07
    Missouri University of Science & TechnologyRolla$25,82155088%3.42
    Missouri Western State UniversitySt. Joseph$10,23070084%1.35
    Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville$12,837
    Park UniversityParkville$18,480
    Rockhurst UniversityKansas City$21,30052287%4.25
    Saint Louis UniversitySt. Louis$55,44053587%3.49
    Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau$9,78544989%2.42
    Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar$16,650
    University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$10,50049369%11.9
    University of MissouriColumbia$29,24164879%3.46
    University of MissouriKansas City$50,00057275%2.81
    University of MissouriSt. Louis$23,43652081%2.06
    Washington University in St. LouisSt. Louis$107,00070095%7.38
    William Woods UniversityFulton$12,600

    Job Outlook for Business School Graduates in Missouri

    Total growth of at least 5% is predicted in 32 of 37 business and management occupations across the US between 2016 and 2026, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The highest growth will be for market analysts and marketing specialists, at 22.8% over ten years, with financial managers next at 18.7%.

    Over the last 15 years, Missouri’s economy has alternated between tracking the national economy and running slightly below it. The state’s current unemployment rate is 3.6%, just below the national average. About 200,000 people were employed in the business and management sector in Missouri in 2016. The largest subgroup was general, and operations managers, with 43,270 employed, well ahead of accountants and auditors at 25,130. Most categories employed 10,000 or fewer people.

    Popular Articles: Accounting Schools in Missouri | Online MBA Programs in Missouri | Online Accounting Degrees in Missouri | Online Business Degrees in Missouri

    According to BLS data, the overall average annual wage in 2016 across all occupations in Missouri was $51,746, ranking the state 38th out of 51 states plus the District of Columbia. Business and management occupations had a weighted average annual salary of around $90,000 that same year, which is lower than many states. Chief executives were the highest-paid subgroup, usually the case, but with a (relatively) lower average salary of $179,400. This was followed by a variety of management positions ranging from $100,000 to $140,000. At $39,480, the lowest-paid group was agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes.

    Occupation TitleBLS.gov
    Code
    2016
    Total
    Employment
    Missouri
    Mean
    Hourly
    Wage
    Missouri
    Mean
    Annual
    Wage
    Missouri
    National
    Growth
    2016-26
    Accountants and Auditors13-201125,130$34$70,18010.0%
    Administrative Services Managers11-30115,480$43$89,27010.1%
    Advertising and Promotions Managers11-2011290$59$122,4505.8%
    Agents and Managers of Artists and Athletes13-1011100$19$39,4804.9%
    Architectural and Engineering Managers11-90412,560$65$135,4405.5%
    Budget Analysts13-2031660$34$71,6706.5%
    Business Operations Specialists13-119914,990$35$72,0008.8%
    Chief Executives11-10114,270$86$179,3608.0%
    Compensation and Benefits Managers11-3111220$65$134,2205.0%
    Compensation and Job Analysis Specialists13-11411,530$31$65,4808.5%
    Compliance Officers13-10414,900$30$62,8808.2%
    Information Systems Managers11-30216,220$63$130,24011.9%
    Construction Managers11-90213,040$48$99,18011.4%
    Cost Estimators13-10514,640$31$65,10010.6%
    Credit Analysts13-20411,760$37$76,9808.4%
    Credit Counselors13-20710,580$26$53,07013.9%
    Financial Analysts13-20514,090$46$94,93010.8%
    Financial Examiners13-20612,430$35$73,6609.8%
    Financial Managers11-30318,500$65$134,2100.187
    Operations Managers11-102143,270$51$106,7309.1%
    Human Resources Managers11-31211,790$58$119,9508.9%
    Human Resources Specialists13-107110,770$31$63,9107.1%
    Insurance Underwriters13-20532,060$32$66,380-5.2%
    Labor Relations Specialists13-10751,610$34$69,730-7.8%
    Loan Officers13-20727,590$37$76,52011.5%
    Logisticians13-10812,990$37$76,5706.9%
    Management Analysts13-11116,540$38$78,85012.0%
    Market Research and Marketing Specialist13-116110,160$31$64,51022.8%
    Marketing Managers11-20212,850$65$136,10010.0%
    Meeting and Event Planners13-11212,110$23$48,51010.2%
    Public Relations11-2031980$52$108,58010.4%
    Purchasing Managers11-3061990$69$143,4705.6%
    Sales Managers11-20225,660$64$133,1207.4%
    Tax Examiners and Revenue Agents13-20812,110$22$45,030-0.6%
    Tax Preparers13-20821,100$20$41,02010.8%
    Training and Development Managers11-3131440$53$110,68010.3%

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    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics:https://nces.ed.gov/
    2. AACSB, Best Business Schools:https://bestbizschools.aacsb.edu/aacsb-accredited
    3. ACBSP, Business Schools:https://acbsp.org/page/accreditation-overview
    4. IACBE, Business Schools:https://iacbe.org/accreditation/
    5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook, Business and Financial Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm
    6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mo.htm
    7. State Board of Education: https://dhewd.mo.gov/
    8. US News & World Report, Best Business Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools