Missouri’s Adult Learning Landscape
- Approximately 312,000 workforce-aged adults lack a high school education in Missouri. 1
- Adults with no diploma or equivalency are unemployed at a rate nearly three times higher than those with at least a bachelor’s degree. In Missouri, adults with a diploma or equivalency earn approximately $10,000 more a year. 2
- Missouri serves adult learners through these primary models: Adult Education & Literacy (AEL), Adult High Schools, and the Workforce Diploma program.
- Missouri has made significant efforts to increase the number of adult education participants who receive relevant workforce training alongside adult education. 3
The following table presents relevant program data, including funding, program locations, enrollment, cost per student, and cost per graduate by program. Data sources are hyperlinked.
| Adult Education (AEL) FY24 (7/23-6/24) 5 | Adult High Schools FY24 (7/23-6/24) 4 | Workforce Diploma FY24 (7/23-6/24) 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guiding Legislation | 34 CFR 462 and 463 WIOA Title II, grant program | RSMO 160.270 Vendor: Mers Goodwill | RSMO 173.831 Vendor: Graduation Alliance |
| Governing Agency | US ED, DESE | DSS | DESE |
| Total Funding State Funding | $7,803,385.27* $2,553,821.55* | $8,041,549.00 $1,571,117.00 | $1,940,000.00 $1,940,000.00 |
| Locations | 150 and Online | 6 | Online only |
| Enrollment | 6,353** | 1,547 | 253 |
| Graduates | 1,359** | 254 | 101 |
| Cost per Student | $1,228.30 | $5,198.16 | $7,667.98 |
| Cost per Graduate | $5,724.01 | $31,659.64 | $19,207.92 |
| State Cost per Graduate | $1,879.19 | $6,185.50 | $19,207.92 |
*FY24 High School Equivalency (HSE) classes only (52.5% of the total). As reported on US ED NRS Table 3, 47.5% of AEL services were provided to students not seeking HSE. 3
FY24 Total Funding $14,863,591 X 52.5% = $7,803,385.27 and FY24 State Funding $4,864,422 X 52.5% = $2,553,821.55
**HSE enrollment reported on US ED NRS Table 3, first four rows. HSE attainment reported on US ED NRS Table 4, column M. 3
Sources:
1 NASDAE Adult Education Program Fact Sheets (Missouri)
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau
3 US ED National Reporting System for Adult Education
4 FY26 Missouri DSS Budget Request (pages 312-319)
5 FY26 Missouri DESE Budget Request (pages 213-219)