Saint Louis, Missouri Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri: median public in-state tuition $27,166 (+392.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $57,571 (+5.9% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 93.2% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $22,000 (+65.8% vs U.S.) 25,594 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 16 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 25,594 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $27,166 (+392.9% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $57,571 (+5.9% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 93.2% (+5.2 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $22,066 (+121.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $22,000 (+65.8% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $16,750
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 56.6%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 69.2%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Saint Louis serve students across Missouri with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 16 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 25,594 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $27,166. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Saint Louis, Missouri and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Saint Louis vs Missouri & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis, Missouri | $27,166 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 56.6% | 25,594 |
| Missouri (state median) | $7,584 | $12,954 | $16,750 | 53.0% | 208,336 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis, Missouri | $57,571 | 93.2% | 69.2% | 4.7% | — | 68.2% | 0.37 |
| Missouri (state median) | $48,991 | 91.3% | 71.0% | 5.8% | — | 71.5% | 0.45 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Missouri (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis, Missouri | $27,166 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 56.6% | 25,594 | $57,571 | 93.2% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Kansas City | $14,094 | $23,006 | $13,516 | 52.6% | 23,895 | $52,773 | 91.0% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Saint Louis, Missouri
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 6 | $66,444 | 94.0% | 69.2% | 3.5% | — | 72.1% |
Top 6 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 79.5%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 66.2%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 64.4%, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 56.6%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 47.6%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 27.6%, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 6 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 94.3%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 93.7%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 92.6%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 91.6%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 90.5%, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 89.7%, Webster University
Webster University
Top 5 most selective colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 62.7%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 68.6%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 75.0%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 86.2%, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 95.1%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Top 7 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,941, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,122, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $70,400, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,968, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,590, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $66,925, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $34,108, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 7 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $102,723, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $99,331, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $86,209, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $79,126, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $66,113, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $64,348, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $53,868, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 6 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $60,716, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,047, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,564, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $39,656, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,997, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $26,634, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 6 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $66,316, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $59,194, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,418, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,628, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $42,247, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $30,944, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 6 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $70,783, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,105, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,037, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,876, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,660, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $31,088, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 7 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $482,012, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $207,890, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $183,786, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $178,382, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $98,861, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $93,819, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $77,950, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
Top 7 most affordable colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $9,922, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $15,071, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 3, Net Price, $22,066, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 4, Net Price, $24,398, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $27,006, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, Net Price, $27,047, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $31,817, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Top 6 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 87.8%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 84.7%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 73.6%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 68.7%, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 68.4%, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 65.3%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
In-state tuition: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Saint Louis, Missouri median in-state tuition is $27,166, +392.9% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Saint Louis, Missouri is $22,000 (+65.8% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.
Median earnings (10 years out): Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri center around $57,571 (+5.9% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 93.2% at the median Saint Louis, Missouri campus (+5.2 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Saint Louis, Missouri median public in-state tuition is $27,166, about +392.9% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +336.4%.
Median graduate debt is $22,000 (+65.8% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Saint Louis, Missouri are $57,571, about +5.9% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 93.2% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+5.2 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 69.2% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.7% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 68.2% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Maryville University of Saint Louis (94.3%), Saint Louis University (93.7%), Missouri Baptist University (92.6%), University of Missouri-St Louis (91.6%), Harris-Stowe State University (90.5%), Webster University (89.7%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Saint Louis, Missouri, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $66,444 (6 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Saint Louis, Missouri is 56.6% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Saint Louis?
This city profile covers 16 campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Saint Louis?
Median in-state tuition in Saint Louis is $27,166 and median net price is $22,066. For Missouri overall, medians are $7,584 and $12,954; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Saint Louis?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Saint Louis is $57,571 vs $48,991 for Missouri and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Saint Louis colleges?
Median completer debt in Saint Louis is $22,000 vs $16,750 for Missouri and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Saint Louis?
Top campuses on this page include Saint Louis University (graduation) and Saint Louis University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Saint Louis?
Among 16 campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Harris-Stowe State University; 6 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (3), Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (1), The Presbyterian Church in America (1).
Sources & related
- Missouri college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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