Community colleges can offer students a quality education and access to career opportunities post-graduation, at a fraction of the cost of many four-year institutions.
For instance, during the 2025-26 school year, tuition for a full-time undergraduate program at a public four-year university was nearly three times higher on average than tuition at a public two-year in-district community college, according to College Board.
For those considering the community college route, one of the nation’s highest-ranked schools is in Missouri.
WalletHub, the personal finance company, released a study examining the best and worst community colleges in the country for 2026.
State Technical College of Missouri Takes the Top Spot
WalletHub ranked State Technical College of Missouri No. 1 in its community college ranking.
In its analysis, WalletHub compared more than 610 community colleges across 18 key indicators, including cost of in-state tuition and graduation rate. Those metrics were then grouped into three categories — Cost & Financing, Education Outcomes and Career Outcomes — to determine each school’s overall score.
State Tech ranked among the top five nationally for both education outcomes and career outcomes, which isn’t too surprising given the school bills itself as “The Employers’ Choice.” Its score in cost and financing, meanwhile, was more middle-of-the-road.
- Cost and Financing: 345
- Education Outcomes: 3
- Career Outcomes: 5
State Tech earned a total score of 73.99 out of 100.
Why WalletHub Ranked It No. 1
WalletHub said the State Technical College of Missouri, located in Osage County, Missouri, ranked first in part because 90% of students stay with the school from the first year to the second year, the best retention rate in the country, and 79% of students graduate — also the best graduation rate in the country.
In addition, the school’s students receive the third-largest amount of grant or scholarship aid, at an average of $9,223 per student. This helps make it less likely that students will default on loans they take out.
The school also offers credit for life experiences and employment services, which can help students graduate more quickly and obtain jobs sooner, according to WalletHub.
Other Missouri Schools on the List
Several other Missouri community colleges also made the list, but none came near State Tech’s ranking. They include:
- East Central College: No. 267
- North Central Missouri College: No. 351
- Jefferson College: No. 356
- Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City: No. 362
- Missouri State University-West Plains: No. 369
- State Fair Community College: No. 408
- Mineral Area College: No. 445
- Moberly Area Community College: No. 462
- St. Charles Community College: No. 463
- Crowder College: No. 544
WalletHub’s Top 10 Community Colleges
- State Technical College of Missouri: Linn, Missouri
- Manhattan Area Technical College: Manhattan, Kansas
- Mesalands Community College: Tucumcari, New Mexico
- Mitchell Technical College: Mitchell, South Dakota
- Pratt Community College: Pratt, Kansas
- Saddleback College: Mission Viejo, California
- Gogebic Community College: Ironwood, Michigan
- Colby Community College: Colby, Kansas
- Clackamas Community College: Oregon City, Oregon
- Alexandria Technical & Community College: Alexandria, Minnesota
This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: This Missouri school named the best community college in the nation
Reporting by Ahmed Jawadi, USA TODAY NETWORK / USATNetwork
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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