BEST VALUE ONLINE SCHOOLS IN MISSOURI

As one of the first schools to offer online college courses in Missouri, Columbia College has been supporting distance learners since 2000. Today, fully 65% of its students are enrolled in virtual classes. These learners enjoy the flexibility of an online program (students have the option to take breaks between each of the six yearly sessions) while getting instruction from the same experienced teachers as their on-campus classmates. Indeed, Columbia has a simple motto when it comes to their online classes: "Same classes, same coursework, same degree." To that end, Columbia offers some truly unconventional degree programs, including American Studies, English, Sociology, and many similar majors that are typically available only to on-campus learners.

In 1875, Park University began offering quality educational opportunities to a diverse community of learners. Today, its online programs expand that mission to a wider circle of students, making it one of the best online colleges in Missouri. With more than 20 online undergraduate degrees and over 15 minors, it's no wonder that nearly 75% of students at Park enroll in some or all distance courses. The university's bachelor's degrees run the gamut from Military History to Computer Information Systems to Geography, and some of the programs have even obtained affiliation with prestigious subject-specific honor societies.

On this top Missouri online colleges ranking, UCMO shines for its dedication to military members and veterans. In fact, the college has an entire office of military and veteran services, a student veterans' organization, and a special tuition package that exempts service members from a number of fees. Among the undergraduate degree options, one that seems particularly suited to military students is the B.S. in Crisis and Disaster Management. This degree can stand on its own as a four-year bachelor's or serve as a continuation of a certificate program. Students must select a focus area — emergency management, hazardous materials, or business continuity — and will cap off their studies by completing an in-depth practicum.

Mizzou Online has a snazzy infographic to show off its impressive stats: more than 1,000 online classes, 867 fully online undergraduate students, and 661 total graduates. But the stats don't tell the whole story, and they wouldn't matter if Mizzou didn't have solid degree programs. Luckily for students, Mizzou offers seven fully online degrees in Missouri, plus additional hybrid programs that require some on-campus classes. One such hybrid option is the always popular degree-completion bachelor's in Early Childhood Education, which prepares students for work in preschools, before- and after-school programs, and Head Start programs. For adults who want to pursue a career in teaching while juggling work and familial obligations, the ECE option could be a game changer.

Stopping at nothing to help you do everything is one of Southeast's taglines, and the school has proven that it has the walk to back up this talk. Generally speaking, SMSU's small classes, respectable faculty-student ratio, and well-educated professors benefit both on-campus and online learners. However, the latter group can also take advantage of personalized advising and learning assistance programs specifically designed to help distance students find their place and stay on track. Given this passion for supporting undergrads, it should be no surprise that this affordable online college in Missouri features a range of highly-ranked online degrees to help non-traditional learners start their careers - or launch new ones.

Some online schools in Missouri offer little guidance to distance learners, adopting an "out of sight, out of mind" policy. But not UMKC! Forget simple online readiness surveys; this university takes student support a step further with an entire orientation site for distance learners. The school also offers special one-on-one and group tutoring sessions, along with writing help in both English and Spanish. In addition, special advising is available for LGBTQIA students and learners with disabilities, demonstrating UMKC's dedication to making sure students have the resources they need to succeed. And with career-focused online degrees available in subjects like dental hygiene and nursing, UMKC will no doubt contribute to their students' success for years after graduation.

With nine undergraduate degrees, 17 minors, and 11 professional certificates available online, it almost goes without saying that Missouri Southern's online course selection is impressive. But it's also flexible; in particular, the array of minors grants students the freedom to create a course of study tailored to their interests. And for adults who want to pursue a career in the medical field but can't commit to on-campus courses, Missouri Southern's online health science degrees present a near perfect solution. Students can choose from in-demand degree-completion programs in dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, and paramedic training, all while taking advantage of the least expensive undergrad tuition on this Missouri affordable online degrees ranking.

Although UMSL has seven fully online degrees (with an eighth in political science coming soon), its Bachelor of Business Administration is particularly praiseworthy. UMSL has received numerous accolades for this accredited online college course in Missouri, including recognition from the U.S. News and U.S. News. Not only that, but UMSL is the only St. Louis college with accreditations for both business and accounting from the . Students pursuing this degree can avail themselves of the so-called "online concierge," a representative who helps them through the application and enrollment process. After enrollment, a more traditional academic advisor takes over to provide support and encouragement from course selection to graduation.

Missouri State University - Springfield boasts one of the highest graduation rates on this Missouri top online colleges ranking, and it's also one of the more affordable schools, too. On top of these credentials, Missouri State has a truly impressive breadth of degree programs - including several that can be tough to find online. Professional Writing, Finance, and Information Technology Service Management are just a few such examples, and certificate programs like Writing for Television and Film are equally unique. As students decide which degree to pursue, they'll likely appreciate the webpage detailing possible careers and outcomes for each online degree — another example of how Missouri State helps its online students succeed.

Customization is the name of the game at Missouri Western. The Bachelor of General Studies presents a unique opportunity for adult learners to create a highly specialized degree. By combining two minors — instead of a single major field of study — students tailor their course of study to their particular fields of interest. This flexible option perhaps holds the greatest appeal for adult learners, who can build on previous college credit by choosing minors that complement their prior coursework. Thanks to this attractive degree option and the school's affordability, Missouri Western ranks as one of the top online schools in Missouri.