The Best College In Missouri Is…

Research.com has released its list of the best colleges in Missouri for the 2024-2025 school year. If you thought Mizzou was the best, you guessed wrong, but you weren't that far off. Keep reading to find out which University was ranked #1 on Research.com's list.

Coming in at number one on the list is Washington University in St Louis. Research.com ranked it the best because of its impressive graduation rate of 94% and its commitment to student success. That said, it's not an easy school to get admitted to. The University only accepts 12% of its applicants, and its applicants are high-achieving. Attending Washington University in St. Louis is expensive, with the total cost of studying there being $85,024. You can check out Research.com's deep dive on Washington University in St. Louis here.

Right behind Washington is a university that accepts 79% of its applicants and is much more affordable. Mizzou, or the University of Missouri-Columbia, places second on its list. Research.com likes Mizzou because of its higher acceptance rate and accessibility to a broader range of applicants. Additionally, the University's graduation rate of 75% indicates a solid level of student achievement. Attending the University of Missouri-Columbia is more affordable, too, with the total cost of studying there topping out at $26,637, which is lower than many private universities. Research.com's deep dive on Mizzou in Columbia is here.

Research.com ranks the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla third. The site likes MST because of its affordability: The cost of studying at MST is $23,389. Additionally, since the University only accepts 18% of applicants, its admissions process is rather selective, and graduates have a strong earning potential in science and technology. The site notes that the 62% graduation rate indicates some students face challenges attending MST. Research.com's deep dive on MST is here. 

Rounding out Missouri's top five colleges are St. Louis University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, located in the state's biggest cities. Research.com likes Saint Louis University's high graduation rate and high acceptance rate, which it says offers prospective students a welcoming environment.

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The site likes UMKC because of its 69% acceptance rate, which indicates opportunities for a diverse student body and affordability. However, the school's lower graduation rate suggests some students may face challenges completing their degrees. However, graduates earn a median salary of just over $54,000.

Missouri Valley College in Marshall ranked seventh, Stephens College in Columbia tenth, Missouri State in Springfield 19th, and UCM in Warrensburg placed 20th on the list. You can see the complete list of Research.com's Best Colleges In Missouri here.