2024 Best Colleges for Middle-Class Students in the St. Louis Area

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,558 reviews

Alum: I am thankful for my undergraduate experience at Washington University in St. Louis. The college has great connections for post-grad opportunities in multiple fields - business, medicine, research, engineering. I was easily able to switch between the Arts & Sciences program and the Business School at the end of my sophomore year. There is a huge focus on medicine, so even for other career paths there are healthcare adjacent offerings (e.g. Healthcare Management, Bio Medical Engineering, Global Health, Psychology/Neuroscience/Philosophy). The brand name and resources do carry for other non-health related professions too. The classwork can be tough so it's best you find out which paths are a good fit for you in terms of academic rigor, class size, and teaching style. Your counselors can help with this. Good size of the school - not too big to get lost, but not too small to know everyone and the campus is very very beautiful! I suggest visiting and talking to alum to learn more!... Read 1,558 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $28,298

• SAT range 1490-1570

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  1,033 reviews

Senior: As far as the cost, it is actually more affordable than most schools. There are tons of clubs and activities that anyone and everyone can join. Although there is Greek life on campus, it is very very different than it is like at other campuses. This is the same with sports as well. Classes are amazing, and their online system makes it easy to enroll in classes without necessarily having to visit your advisor every time. As far as professors, some are great and some are just awful. I have had a couple teachers go out of their way to help me with certain questions and assignments and I will also remember them. However, I also remember the couple of professors that honestly just did not care, and myself and many other students always had the worst scores in their classes compared to classes with other professors. As far as food and housing, things obviously changed a lot during the pandemic. Most of the school is made up of commute and foreign exchange students, which makes UMSL diverse!... Read 1,033 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $10,525

• SAT range 1020-1300

• Godfrey, IL•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  241 reviews

Graduate Student: I started my first year at LCCC at the peak of the Pandemic in the fall of 2020. Every one of my classes for that first year were virtual classes met over zoom or asynchronously. While my preferred learning method is hands on, I will say that the professors of Lewis and Clark Community College made the best of the circumstances, and I had a great time. I was only there for two years to get my associates degree, so I can't say that I saw enough of the school to have any opinions on what I would have liked to see change.... Read 241 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,137

• SAT range —

• Edwardsville, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  1,699 reviews

Senior: When it comes to partying, few schools can match the electrifying atmosphere and thriving social scene of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. With an unbeatable reputation for hosting epic parties, this institution knows how to let loose and have a good time. The campus buzzes with excitement as students come together to celebrate life, forging unforgettable memories. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville boasts a wide array of student organizations dedicated to throwing sensational events, ensuring that there's always something happening for every taste and interest. From themed costume parties to live music, the nightlife options are boundless, catering to the diverse preferences of the student body. The local community also adds to the party culture. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has it all. With a commitment to fostering a vibrant social atmosphere, this school knows how to strike the perfect balance between academics and unforgettable party experiences.... Read 1,699 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 98%

• Net price $15,519

• SAT range 920-1160

• Cottleville, MO•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  496 reviews

Sophomore: The Chemistry department is amazing. The professors are always willing to help with assignments. They are there to help you succeed and welcome you to office hours when you need help. The advisors aren't always the most helpful when trying to figure out your class schedule. I think it'd be beneficial there to be advisors for different degree areas. For example, I think it'd be much easier to have an advisor for all science students, one for business students, one for nursing students, and so on and so forth. That would probably require more advisors than necessary but I think dividing the degrees by category would help. Sometimes it's best to talk with the department chair of the degree you're pursing rather than advisors.... Read 496 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $2,364

• SAT range —

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  64 reviews

Freshman: Ranken is a private, non-profit technical college in St. Louis, Missouri that offers programs in fields such as automotive technology, construction management, and electrical technology. Some students may appreciate the hands-on, technical training that the college offers, as well as the small class sizes and personalized instruction. Good Place... Read 64 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $13,227

• SAT range —