Mo. Rev. Stat. § 178.380
The school board of the district, before the establishment of the courses of instruction, shall determine as near as possible the per capita cost of the college courses in the school and state the amount in its application to the coordinating board for higher education. Upon the approval of the college courses by the coordinating board for higher education and upon the establishment of the college courses in the district, the school board may require of all resident students over twenty years of age and also all nonresident students desiring to take the courses at the school a tuition fee in the sum thought to be necessary for the maintenance of the college courses in the school, taking into consideration the other funds provided by law for the support of such college courses.
§ 178.380, RSMo
RSMo 1959 § 165.127