Missouri Valley College provides an affordable private college experience with strong support systems for first-generation and Pell-eligible students who value personal attention and community.
The college maintains manageable debt levels and zero default rates, making it a financially sustainable option for students seeking access to higher education.
Missouri Valley College is a small private nonprofit institution in Marshall, Missouri, serving about 30% Pell Grant recipients and 40% first-generation college students. While the college ranks in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes, it provides meaningful access and support for students who might not otherwise attend college, earning its designation as an "Opportunity Builder" institution.
The college's strength lies in creating pathways for students from diverse backgrounds rather than maximizing financial returns. With net prices starting around $15,550 for low-income families, Missouri Valley offers a more affordable private college experience compared to many peers. The intimate campus environment allows for close student-faculty relationships and personalized attention that can be especially valuable for first-generation students navigating college.
As a small private college, Missouri Valley focuses on providing access and support rather than competing on pure earnings metrics. For students who value community, personal attention, and a supportive environment over maximum financial returns, the college offers a viable path to degree completion and career entry in fields like exercise science and education.
Missouri Valley College's program portfolio centers around Exercise Science and Kinesiology, which represents the institution's strongest area both in terms of enrollment and career preparation. This program graduates about 32 students annually with median earnings around $33,993, leading to careers in athletic training, fitness management, and health promotion.
The college's focus on exercise science reflects its commitment to preparing students for growing fields in health and wellness. While earnings in these fields are moderate, graduates often find stable employment in settings ranging from fitness centers and sports teams to rehabilitation clinics and community health programs. The program's success demonstrates how smaller colleges can develop focused expertise in specific career areas.
As a small institution, Missouri Valley concentrates its resources on programs where it can provide quality preparation and strong student-faculty relationships. The exercise science program benefits from hands-on learning opportunities and personalized mentorship that larger institutions may not be able to provide, helping students develop both technical skills and professional networks in their chosen field.
Graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $43,221 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes. The college's graduates typically earn less than what similar students achieve at other institutions, reflecting both the institution's program mix and the career paths its graduates pursue.
The college's strongest program by aggregate return is Exercise Science and Kinesiology, which graduates about 32 students annually with median earnings around $33,993. This field represents the college's primary area of strength, combining solid enrollment with career preparation in health and fitness industries. While earnings in this field are moderate, graduates often find meaningful work in athletic training, fitness management, and related health professions that offer job stability and personal satisfaction.
Missouri Valley's career outcomes reflect its mission as a small liberal arts college rather than a high-earnings institution. Students typically enter fields that emphasize service, education, and community engagement, where financial rewards may be more modest but career satisfaction and work-life balance are often strong priorities for graduates.
Missouri Valley College offers relatively strong affordability, especially for a private institution. Low-income students pay about $15,550 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $17,712, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,044. These net prices are competitive with many public universities and significantly lower than typical private college costs.
Debt levels are manageable for most students, with typical graduates carrying about $25,950 in federal student loans. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $11,962, which is relatively modest compared to many private colleges. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are generally able to meet their repayment obligations despite the lower earnings levels.
The combination of reasonable net prices and manageable debt loads makes Missouri Valley accessible to families across income levels. While graduates may not achieve the highest earnings, the debt burden remains proportional to typical career outcomes, allowing most borrowers to handle standard repayment without significant financial strain.
Missouri Valley College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
