Best Colleges in Missouri (2023 Rankings)

Whether you're a high school student exploring the best four-year colleges near you or are considering enrollment in a graduate program, Missouri has plenty of great universities to choose from! Join us for an introduction to the top colleges in Missouri (in no particular order) and what each has to offer.

When calculating this year's rankings, we used a methodology based on everything from how many new students are offered enrollment each academic year to extracurricular and research opportunities. Let's dive right in!

Washington University in St. Louis

Tuition: $57,386

Fast facts:

• 7,653 undergraduate students 
• Acceptance rate: 16%
• Graduation rate: 88% (4-year), 94% (6-year)

Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university and an exceptional place to study, whether you're interested in earning a bachelor's degree or joining a graduate and doctoral degree program.

Wash U offers over 100 fields of study and is particularly known for its internationally acclaimed medical school, which offers both undergraduate and graduate research opportunities. At Wash U, you'll find a diverse student body and a stellar faculty that includes four Pulitzer Prize winners, three Poet Laureates, and 60+ members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

You might also like: Rockhurst University, Kansas City

Saint Louis University

Tuition: $47,124

Fast facts:

• 7,723 undergraduate students 
• Acceptance rate: 56%
• Graduation rate: 73% (4-year), 79% (6-year)

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is a private Catholic college that offers 97 bachelor's degree programs and 126 master's and doctoral degree programs. At SLU, students enjoy an outstanding 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a choice of popular degrees, including Advanced Dentistry, Medicine, Law, Engineering, and more.

SLU also has plenty to offer in the way of student life, with 200+ student organizations, 18 NCAA Division I sports teams, and 500+ volunteer and service learning partners. Whether you're interested in a bachelor's degree, doctoral degree, or even a graduate dual degree, SLU has something for everyone.

You might also like: Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville

Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla

In-state Tuition: $10,165

Out-of-state Tuition: $28,116

Fast facts:

• 6,083 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 81%
• Graduation rate: 24% (4-year), 67% (6-year)

If STEM skills are your jam, then make sure you check out Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), a public university with opportunities you'd usually only find at a private school. Missouri S&T offers 18 undergraduate degrees, 16 of which have scored ABET accreditation, and nearly 20 master's degrees and Ph.D. programs.

With degrees in everything from Physics and Nuclear Engineering to Computer Science and Aerospace Engineering, this place is a STEM-lover's dream come true. Students can even join a design team to work on projects like human-powered vehicles, underwater robotics, or rocket designs.

You might also like: University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in Saint Louis, St. Louis

University of Missouri, Columbia

In-state Tuition: $10,723

Out-of-state Tuition: $29,005

Fast facts:

• 23,383 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 82%
• Graduation rate: 50% (4-year), 73% (6-year)

The University of Missouri-Columbia, often lovingly referred to as "Mizzou," is a large public university that offers over 300 degree programs to choose from. Undergraduates can pursue anything from art, education, or journalism to pre-veterinary medicine, pre-dental, or pre-law.

Mizzou is also home to the Tigers, with 20 different NCAA Division I sports teams that compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). You'll have no problem getting involved in student life at Mizzou, as the school offers 500+ student organizations and plenty of on-campus events and study abroad opportunities.

You might also like: University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg

University of Missouri, Kansas City

In-state Tuition: $10,145

Out-of-state Tuition: $25,186

Fast facts:

• 11,027 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Graduation rate: 27% (4-year), 54% (6-year)

Next up, we've got The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) a public college with over 125 academic programs to choose from. UMKC is all about providing students with real-world experiences, which is why you'll find plenty of networking and internship opportunities.

If you're into music, dance, or theater, check out the UMKC Conservatory, which puts on over 500 performance events each year. UMKC also offers plenty of other learning resources, such as the state-of-the-art labs at the School of Science and Engineering or the innovative programs at the UMKC School of Dentistry, the only public dental school in the state.

You might also like: Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau

William Jewell College, Liberty

Tuition: $34,450

Fast facts:

• 738 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 36%
• Graduation rate: 62% (4-year), 67% (6-year)

William Jewell College is a small but mighty private college that offers either a four-year bachelor's degree guarantee or a unique three-year bachelor's degree track! Whether you're interested in non-profit leadership, international relations, business, or digital communications, William Jewell offers an impressive collection of undergraduate and graduate degrees to choose from.

Here you'll find a tight-knit student body with an active Greek scene and a variety of student organizations, including an esports team that offers scholarship opportunities. The college also boasts many NCAA-II sports teams that compete in everything from basketball and football to lacrosse and wrestling.

You might also like: William Woods University, Fulton

Truman State University, Kirksville

In-state Tuition: $8,299

Out-of-state Tuition: $15,659

Fast facts:

• 4,389 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 72%
• Graduation rate: 61% (4-year), 75% (6-year)

Truman State University is a public liberal arts and sciences college where you'll enjoy plenty of experiential learning opportunities in the subjects that interest you the most. Choose from 50 different undergraduate majors, including unique picks like Cannabis and Natural Medicinals, Music Business, and Social Issue Advocacy.

Or check out graduate degrees in subjects like Counseling, Data Science, or Communication. Cheer on the Truman Bulldogs sports (and esports) teams, go Greek, or get involved with one of the many student clubs you'll find on campus.

You might also like: Lindenwood University, Saint Charles

College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout

Tuition: $19,960

Fast facts:

• 1,489 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 14%
• Graduation rate: 45% (4-year), 60% (6-year)

The College of the Ozarks is a unique private Christian college that offers students the chance to help pay off their tuition by working 15 hours a week in one of over 80 campus workstations. Not only will a work assignment keep your journey to higher education incredibly affordable, but it can also provide you with work experience in an IT department, museum, or university healthcare clinic.

Choose from a solid selection of majors and minors, such as agriculture, criminal justice, military science, and more. Or set off on a pre-professional track in areas ranging from law to health care.

You might also like: Central Methodist University, Fayette

Drury University, Springfield

Tuition: $31,215

Fast facts:

• 1,409 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 71%
• Graduation rate: 40% (4-year), 60% (6-year)

If you're looking to break the mold of a traditional college experience, then check out Drury University, a private Christian college where you'll pursue a unique fusion of 70 different programs. Not only will you graduate with a degree in your major, but also with multiple credentials.

Drury blends classic degrees like those in Education, Social Science, and Business with life certificates like Graphic Storytelling and professional certificates such as Cybersecurity Fundamentals. Along the way, you'll enjoy plenty of mentorship and hands-on learning experience amid a small, tight-knit student body.

You might also like: Maryville University of Saint Louis, St. Louis 

Webster University, Webster Groves

Tuition: $28,700

Fast facts:

• 2,563 undergraduate students
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Graduation rate: 41% (4-year), 55% (6-year)

If you're interested in studying abroad, then Webster University may be a solid choice for you. The private university has 40 different campuses on four continents around the world and encourages any interested students to take advantage of the chance to study internationally.

Choose from over 160 program offerings and enjoy the perks of small class sizes with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Whether you're into business, art, science, or anything in between, Webster's got plenty of opportunities for everyone.

You might also like: University of Missouri-St. Louis

Missouri colleges FAQ

What is the number one best college in Missouri?

Washington University in St. Louis is consistently ranked among the best universities in the country, due to its outstanding academic programs, research, and health care facilities.

What's the best Christian college in Missouri?

College of the Ozarks is highly respected for its strong academic track record and unique tuition assistance work opportunities.

What is the hardest school to get into in Missouri?

While they couldn't be more different, Washington University in St. Louis and College of the Ozarks rank as two of the hardest Missouri colleges to get into with acceptance rates of less than 20%!

Find the perfect Missouri school with College Rover

Missouri is home to plenty of great universities, not to mention community colleges and technical schools. No matter what type of higher education journey you have in mind, College Rover can help make researching your options a whole lot easier!

With customizable search filters and side-by-side college comparison tools, College Rover makes finding the best colleges and programs for you a breeze!

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.