Best Public Policy Schools in Missouri: Online Programs (2026)

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Missouri Public Policy At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Public Policy Salary $85,386
Salary Outlook Missouri offers competitive wages for public policy professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Missouri Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online public policy degree in Missouri offers a flexible path into public policy careers. Missouri offers competitive wages for public policy professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Missouri students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Public Policy Schools in Missouri

The following schools offer accredited online public policy programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Missouri.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Washington University in St Louis

St. Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
85.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $86,182
Avg net price $21,786/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 95%
  • Programs offered: 167

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
75.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 73%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,403
Avg net price $20,268/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 156

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
74.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $70,783
Avg net price $24,398/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 88%
  • Programs offered: 142

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Missouri

Public Policy professionals in Missouri experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Missouri.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Missouri)
Management Analysts $97,270
Economists $117,010
Social and Community Service Managers $71,970
Survey Researchers $66,460
Compliance Officers $67,270
General and Operations Managers $79,300
Financial and Investment Analysts $98,420

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Public Policy Degree in Missouri?

Choosing a program in Missouri can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Missouri offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Missouri economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online public policy programs in Missouri accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Public Policy pay in Missouri compare to other states?

Missouri offers competitive wages for public policy professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Missouri a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for public policy in Missouri?

The Missouri Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Missouri. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Public Policy Programs by City in Missouri

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Arnold · Ballwin · Belton · Blue Springs · Branson · Cape Girardeau · Chesterfield · Columbia · Farmington · Ferguson · Florissant · Gladstone · Grandview · Hazelwood · Independence · Jefferson City · Joplin · Kansas City · Kirkwood · Lees Summit · Liberty · Maryland Heights · Nixa · O · Poplar Bluff · Raymore · Raytown · Rolla · Sedalia · Springfield · Saint Charles · Saint Joseph · Saint Louis · Saint Peters · University City · Warrensburg · Webster Groves · Wentzville · Wildwood


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