Top 3 Computer Programming Programs in Missouri 2025
Washington University in St Louis
181 computer programming graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
University of Missouri-Kansas City
648 computer programming graduates annually, 98% graduation rate
University of Central Missouri
1170 computer programming graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Missouri offers 18+ accredited computer programming programs across public and private universities
- 2.Washington University in St Louis leads with 97% graduation rate
- 3.Missouri software developers earn median $104,000 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Kansas City, St. Louis
- 5.Cost of living index: 90.8% of US average (below average)
Computer Programming Education in Missouri: Overview
Missouri offers 18 accredited computer programming programs, producing approximately 2,667 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Kansas City, St. Louis, with major employers including Cerner, World Wide Technology, Bayer.
With a median software developer salary of $104,000 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 90.8% compared to the US average, Missouri offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers compared to higher-cost coastal markets.
The top computer programming programs in the state are led by Washington University in St Louis, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Central Missouri, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 18 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Computer Programming degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Missouri-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Missouri Computer Programming Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $61,750 | 97% | 73.4 |
| 2 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | Public | $11,190 | 98% | 73.3 |
| 3 | University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO | Public | $8,325 | — | 71.4 |
| 4 | Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO | Public | $6,442 | — | 50.3 |
| 5 | Missouri Valley College | Marshall, MO | Private | $21,300 | 93% | 49.4 |
| 6 | Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $52,260 | 92% | 47.2 |
| 7 | Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $24,766 | 86% | 46.6 |
| 8 | University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | Public | $14,400 | — | 46.4 |
| 9 | College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout, MO | Private | $20,800 | — | 45.2 |
| 10 | Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph, MO | Public | $7,740 | — | 41.2 |
| 11 | Webster University | Saint Louis, MO | Private | $30,530 | — | 40.3 |
| 12 | Columbia College | Columbia, MO | Private | $12,268 | — | 39.1 |
| 13 | Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield, MO | Public | $7,812 | — | 38 |
| 14 | Truman State University | Kirksville, MO | Public | $9,132 | — | 36.6 |
| 15 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO | Private | $41,900 | — | 34.7 |
| 16 | Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette, MO | Private | $26,360 | — | 32.4 |
| 17 | Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar, MO | Private | $27,290 | — | 31.5 |
| 18 | Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette, MO | Private | $6,480 | 6% | 21.4 |
Top 5 Computer Programming Programs in Missouri: Side-by-Side
| School | WashU | U of Missouri-Kansas City | U of Central Missouri | Northwest Missouri State | Missouri Valley College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $61,750 | $11,190 | $8,325 | $6,442 | $21,300 |
| Graduation Rate | 97% | 98% | N/A% | N/A% | 93% |
| Annual Graduates | 181 | 648 | 1170 | 320 | 6 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12% | 75% | 69% | 86% | 53% |
| Type | Private | Public | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 73.4/100 | 73.3/100 | 71.4/100 | 50.3/100 | 49.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Computer Programming in Missouri
Missouri offers 17 bachelor's-level computer programming programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Washington University in St Louis, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-St Louis. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $72,800 in the Missouri market.
A bachelor's in computer programming typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Computer Programming Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Computer Programming Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 WashU | $61,750 | 97% | 181 | 73.4 |
| #2 U of Missouri-Kansas City | $11,190 | 98% | 87 | 71.5 |
| #3 U of Missouri-St Louis | $14,400 | N/A% | 75 | 46.4 |
Top Computer Programming Schools for Master's Degrees in Missouri
For graduate study, Missouri offers 8 master's-level computer programming programs. Leading institutions include University of Missouri-Kansas City, Washington University in St Louis, University of Central Missouri. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Missouri reaching $135,200 or more.
Top 3 Computer Programming Master's Programs in Missouri
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Missouri-Kansas City | $11,190 | 98% | 648 | 73.3 |
| #2 WashU | $61,750 | 97% | 142 | 71.7 |
| #3 U of Central Missouri | $8,325 | N/A% | 1170 | 71.4 |
Most Affordable Computer Programming Colleges in Missouri
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable computer programming programs in Missouri are at Northwest Missouri State University ($6,442/year), Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies ($6,480/year), Missouri Western State University ($7,740/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Missouri's competitive tech salaries.
At Northwest Missouri State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $25,768 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $72,800, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.7 years. See our Most Affordable Computer Programming Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Computer Programming Programs in Missouri (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Northwest Missouri State | $6,442 | $25,768 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #2 Central Methodist... | $6,480 | $25,920 | 0.7 years | Private |
| #3 Missouri Western State | $7,740 | $30,960 | 0.8 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Computer Programming Schools in Missouri
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 computer programming programs in Missouri, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $61,750 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 181 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 12%
- • Ranking Score: 73.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 181 computer programming graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 73.4 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (181 graduates), state salary outcomes ($104,000), and selectivity (12% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Washington University offers a unique joint degree program in Business and Computer Science that provides an integrated educational experience between the Olin Business School and McKelvey School of Engineering. The program equips students with fundamental knowledge in both computer science and business with opportunities to converge these disciplines for careers in technology, data analytics, finance, consulting, and business development.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •Calculus (MATH 1510, MATH 1520, MATH 2500, and MATH 2130)
- •Physics (PHYSICS 1740, PHYSICS 1741, PHYSICS 1742, and PHYSICS 1743)
- •Chemistry (CHEM 1701 or CHEM 1601 and CHEM 1751)
Program Details
- Credits: 120 credits
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,190 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 98% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 648 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 75%
- • Ranking Score: 73.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 98% graduation rate
- 648 computer programming graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 73.3 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (98%), program size (648 graduates), state salary outcomes ($104,000), and selectivity (75% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,325 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 1,170 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 69%
- • Ranking Score: 71.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 1,170 computer programming graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 71.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (1,170 graduates), state salary outcomes ($104,000), and selectivity (69% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UCM offers one of the largest and most affordable Computer Science programs in Missouri with both Bachelor's and Master's degrees available 100% online for flexible scheduling. The program combines foundational training in computer science, software development and systems design with hands-on learning experiences and achieves a 95% job placement rate.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Available Scholarships
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.00
Career Outcomes
- Job Placement: 95% of students land a job
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,442 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 320 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 86%
- • Ranking Score: 50.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 320 computer programming graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 50.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (320 graduates), state salary outcomes ($104,000), and selectivity (86% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Northwest's M.S. in Applied Computer Science offers a comprehensive 30-credit program with required capstone projects and an accelerated bachelor's to master's option. The program includes modern coursework in mobile computing, web applications, and emerging technologies like AI and machine learning.
Admission Prerequisites
- •Data Structures
- •Database Systems
- •Discrete Mathematics
- •Statistics
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Program Details
- Credits: 30 credit hours
Missouri Valley College
Marshall, MO • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $21,300 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 93% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Programming Graduates: 6 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 49.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 93% graduation rate
- 6 computer programming graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 49.4 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (93%), program size (6 graduates), state salary outcomes ($104,000), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Missouri with strong job growth.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Missouri with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Missouri with strong job growth.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299AI/ML Engineer opportunities in Missouri with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Cybersecurity Analyst opportunities in Missouri with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Kansas City, St. Louis
- You're seeking lower cost of living than coastal states (90.8% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Cerner or World Wide Technology
- You prefer Missouri's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Missouri's 18)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
Other Tech Degree Programs in Missouri
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Computer Programming Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
Computer Programming in Missouri FAQ
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Missouri salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.