2023 Best Colleges in Missouri

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,537 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 1,537 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $28,298

• SAT range 1490-1570

• St. Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  2,110 reviews

Alum: A great international experience with a lot of access to different courses that enrichened my holistic learning. Not only was I able to get involve in different activities but the environment at SLU was perfect for me to concentrate on my studies but be able to have fun at the same time. Professors are always available to help and students are incredibly open to meeting others and welcoming international students. I had the pleasure to be able to work at the international office and get to meet all students and organize activities. Not only did this help me build relationships for trained me for my current job position. I would say that every event and experience at SLU will prepare you for a successful future. Overall, amazing experience!... Read 2,110 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $30,096

• SAT range 1220-1430

• Columbia, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  3,324 reviews

Sophomore: Great university with lots of opportunities! Many possibilities of different mayors to choose from! Big campus with a large green area and many animals to see! Need basis scholarship for American and merit scholarships for international students like me College of engineering is very high tech with great professors and mentors available to help students on the way! Many possibilities to get involved in research projects. Also possible to work on ana off campus! Lots of students associations with regular meetings so students can get to know other cultures, get professional tips work on resumes or just hang out with friends. There is a catholic parish nearby were students can engage in volunteer work in the Columbia area and attend masses on weekends. Honors college with small size classes and many adventures during the semesters. Honors also offer scholarships, the possibility to work on research! They really make a effort to make students fell like home!... Read 3,324 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $18,249

• SAT range 1130-1350

• Point Lookout, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  404 reviews

Senior: College of the Ozarks is a working college, which means tuition is completely free. I gave this school a 4/5 because no college is perfect. It is difficult to juggle 15 hr work weeks, 15+ credits, attend mandatory convocations and chapels each semester, and also be involved with the community in your dorm, on campus, and the surrounding area; however, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties! Graduating debt-free is truly priceless, and the teachers and work supervisors I had there were exceptional. I can't recommend this private Christian college enough to those who cannot afford college but have dreams of using a degree to do great things.... Read 404 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 21%

• Net price $12,611

• SAT range 1010-1240

• Rolla, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,030 reviews

Sophomore: Missouri S&T is an excellent university, and is top-notch within the state. Campus is very pretty, interconnected, and easy to travel through. The meal variety has improved significantly in recent years, and campus continues to improve and expand with the 300 million dollar grant given to the school recently. All of my professors have been helpful and engaging, and the reputation of this school proceeds it. I am only a sophomore and I am already getting internship offers! The career fair here is huge and job recruiters highly value an S&T degree. Rolla itself leaves something to be desired though. I feel safe on campus and student life is not nearly as bad as people say. There's plenty of clubs and organizations to join. The town of Rolla is super walkable and has plenty of shops, parks, and restaurants to explore. If you are interested in a STEM degree or desire a highly academic environment, S&T is the school for you.... Read 1,030 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $13,589

• SAT range 1290-1460

• Kansas City, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  1,387 reviews

Sophomore: UMKC lies in the heart of Kansas City. It is an urban university with an excellent local area and an exceptional focus on Athletics. The tuitions are very reasonable and scholarships are awarded to many people, and so the return on investment is very good. The university is average-to-above-average when it comes to Academics and Professors; the educational value of the classes and the overall dedication of professors varies greatly. At UMKC, one may have a very passionate professor who teaches a difficult course in a way that encourages success while incorporating reasonable levels of challenge, or the type who simply shows videos or reads off slides then goes outside to smoke at-the-time-illicit substances (true story). Safety is average-to-below-average as some of the immediately surrounding areas are dangerous, but nothing unreasonable, and campus police do take care of the campuses well. Free transport is provided between general and medical campuses; the latter is excellent.... Read 1,387 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $14,368

• SAT range 1050-1330

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  680 reviews

Sophomore: Overall the online academics program is phenomenal! The pace of information is a bit fast paced with semesters split into two terms but canvas and professors excel in ensuring students have a clear agenda and objectives. I have interacted with professors and department leads that I now see as role models or mentors. It is such a great feeling to be acknowledged as a human by your school and faculty and not just another source of income. The only flaws I can see is the amount of group projects I have endured in online courses. Many students go to school online because of hectic schedules from work to family, so having to find a time to work with others who are just as busy as you can be an added stressor. I hold a firm belief that my academic achievement should not be reliant on others work, although it is a dose of the real career world.... Read 680 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $24,733

• SAT range 1000-1230

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  1,023 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 1,023 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $10,525

• SAT range 1020-1300

• Kansas City, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  410 reviews

Sophomore: Rockhurst was amazing right off the bat! Being an incoming freshman, it was certainly a nerve racking feeling. However, the schools orientation threw all of those doubts out the window. We participated in a 3-4 day orientation that got us familiar with the school and all of its option. But the best part of orientation was the friendships that were made. At first it felt awkward but by the end I wanted to call them my family. I got exposed to my friend group on day one and couldn’t be happier. Student life is amazing too! With it being a smaller school, it is super easy to get connected with others and get involved. With the smaller class rations, you get to feel a connection with your teachers and classmates like nowhere else. The teachers want you to learn and are willing to help in areas you may be struggling. This was a much needed aspect during COVID this past year with all the chaos. RU did a great job of managing everything during the pandemic for things to run like butter... Read 410 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $22,050

• SAT range 1080-1270

• Liberty, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  360 reviews

Junior: Great professors and classes, a healthy campus community, and many good services offered for the students. Administration can sometimes be cumbersome or bureaucratic, but the educational experience is excellent! Greek life is extremely important. Athletics is as well. Nursing and education are popular majors with wonderful programs. While the college lacks diversity, they are making small steps to improve this.... Read 360 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 47%

• Net price $20,876

• SAT range 1090-1270

• Kansas City, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  429 reviews

Senior: My experience here is second to none. I have gone to quite a few colleges and this is the first one where I felt I was more than a number. There are plenty of resources on campus from mental health, physical health, and academic. There are more than just the professors having a hand in the students’ academic success. There was a time where one of my mind-term grades were low and I received a email from student success wanting to set up a meeting to discuss how we can get the grade up and the tools that I have available to me. Although it was due to a professor forgetting to put in a grade, it meant a lot to know that everyone cares. The reason it did not get 5 starts is because I wish there were updates to the campus overall, specifically the student fitness center.... Read 429 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 68%

• Net price $18,581

• SAT range 980-1160

• Kirksville, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  1,073 reviews

Senior: I love Truman's campus! It is gorgeous brick with lots of trees and small enough to walk easily. The tuition is extremely affordable, and the people are so welcoming. Truman's academics are difficult but set their students up for success in the workforce.... Read 1,073 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 61%

• Net price $11,470

• SAT range 1120-1290

• Springfield, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  646 reviews

Sophomore: So far everything has been great! The campus is beautiful during the summer and fall, although the winter scenery is lovely. We have a diverse range of athletics available to everyone and in my opinion, were the best in the state. The professors show that they care for what they teach and for their students just by how they present themselves in class and when just talking one on one. The surrounding area has amazing restaurants to go out to such as The Black Sheep. The campus food is not the best, but it is still really good, especially the Einstein Bagel Bros they just installed in out new business building.... Read 646 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $19,119

• SAT range 1050-1270

• Warrensburg, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  1,256 reviews

Alum: I went the large D1 state college route right out of high school, and with the large lecture hall style classes, it was hard to find time to talk with professors. At UCM, professors are really dedicated to your success, going far beyond anything I had experienced at the state college level. With some of the more difficult classes that I had, I was able to meet with professors outside of class on a fairly regular basis and connect on more of a personal level, something I thought would be lost after high school graduation. This was incredibly essential to my success. The campus size was also a great benefit. While I was a little hesitant attending a college that had a campus smaller than the family hog lot, I grew to love this aspect. It made for smooth transitions into new semesters with new class locations, and allowed me to condense my daily scheduled time on campus to allow more time for studying and extra curriculars. I would highly recommend UCM. Go Mules!... Read 1,256 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $13,852

• SAT range —

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,051 reviews

Sophomore: I attend Webster University for Musical Theatre, and the Conservatory is an outstanding place to study! The professors, especially in the conservatory, really deeply care about your growth and success. I genuinely feel like I am being set up with the resources I need to have a successful career, and I've barely started my education here! I'd definitely recommend Webster to anyone who would like to pursue the arts, especially in the theatre!... Read 1,051 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 59%

• Net price $24,884

• SAT range 1020-1250

• Springfield, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  2,146 reviews

Freshman: My experience with Missouri State University was terrific! The campus was beautiful and easy to navigate. The professors were knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, making the classes engaging and interesting. The student body was friendly and diverse, creating a welcoming atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed extracurricular activities such as club sports and volunteer organizations. One thing I would like to see change is parking availability on campus. Finding a spot isn't easy, especially during peak hours. Overall, I highly recommend Missouri State University to anyone considering higher education.... Read 2,146 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $16,501

• SAT range 1010-1200

• Springfield, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  929 reviews

Junior: I am a junior at Evangel University and I absolutely love it! I had no idea how important of a decision I was making when I picked the place for my college education, but I am so thankful that I choose Evangel. I have been encouraged to grow in Christ through challenging conversations, classes, and friendships. The best part about Evangel are the people here. This includes the professors, faculty, and staff as well as the students. Everyone here wants to encourage you and see you succeed, all while pushing you to be better. Evangel has allowed me to mature in my faith in a safe environment. I did not rate the party scene at Evangel because there is not much of one. Not that it doesn't exist, but it is not very prevalent here. I think this contributes to the safety of the campus. I have never felt unsafe on campus. Evangel has changed my life and will positively effect me for the rest of my life, I am so grateful for Evangel and all of the people I have met here!... Read 929 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $21,641

• SAT range 960-1200

• Maryville, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  1,132 reviews

Sophomore: I am going to be Sophomore here at Northwest Missouri State next year. I love this place, it gives great opportunities to a variety of students. There are great people here that will continue to be in your life even after college. The support system is great, athletics are great, the professors are interested in you and what you have going on. I love it here!... Read 1,132 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $13,754

• SAT range 980-1160

• Fulton, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  427 reviews

Alum: William Woods is a great university. They’ve recently sworn in a new university president and I am confident he is going to bring about positive change moving forward! Their ASL and Equestrian programs are what they are known for, and having been a part of one of them, they are very solid programs. The Sciences and Arts are also very prevalent and many majors and minors are offered in those areas of study as well. I loved my time there and made connections with faculty and other students that I will cherish for life.... Read 427 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 68%

• Net price $23,220

• SAT range 1000-1220

• Joplin, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  191 reviews

Freshman: I have loved Ozark and I still continue to go there. Ozark is a home to me and although there are downsides there are a lot of positives. If you go to Ozark you will find amazing professors who genuinely care about you like no other and people who love you. Although some of the downsides are that you cannot live off campus until you are in your 20s, married, or live with a guardian and with being kicked out during all breaks if you want to work in Joplin full time that can be difficult. Another downside is if you are an international student paying your way through and your visa only allows you to work at the school the school pays minimum wage and you can only work up to 20 hours a week scheduled. Other than the few downsides I do absolutely love Ozark and would recommend it to most!... Read 191 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 98%

• Net price $17,482

• SAT range 890-1220

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  240 reviews

Freshman: My freshman year at Fontbonne University was amazing. I met great friends, genuine teachers, and I learned a lot of interesting things. I was also very appreciative to how small the school was. I was able to get one on one time with my teachers during class and that was something I felt extremely helpful. Overall my experience with Fontbonne University was great!... Read 240 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $19,481

• SAT range 990-1100

• Cape Girardeau, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  1,082 reviews

Sophomore: So far, I have really enjoyed the college experience. Semo offers a wide range of opportunities for students. From guest speakers to the plethora of clubs to go and see about. The environment is welcoming! I did have a hard time adjusting at first to the independent aspect. Somehow even moving away from home by myself, I didn’t feel alone. My professors were easy to talk to, and I never felt like I was running out of resources. Overall it’s just been great. However I know that going into the next school year I’ll have to do a couple things differently. First, meal swipes are to be treated with care! Secondly, labs are for my benefit and I should take advantage of them.... Read 1,082 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $13,291

• SAT range 1030-1240

• Bolivar, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  399 reviews

Senior: If you're looking for a Christ-centered community, dedicated professors who truly care about your wellbeing, an education that will prepare you for your field, and friends for life--look no further. Southwest Baptist University was an answer to prayer for many, including me. There has been a bit of drama recently regarding the school board etc., but that did not stop me from learning and growing exponentially in my time there. It's bittersweet finishing up my last semester, as I realize I'm saying goodbye to the place where I've made so many memories, while diving head-first into the mission field it's prepared me for. Also, it's been said they "give out scholarships like candy" and I didn't have to take out a single student loan. Private universities don't have to cost you an arm and a leg! Go for it!... Read 399 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $18,433

• SAT range 1000-1210

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  257 reviews

Sophomore: Personally, I loved the campus at Missouri Baptist University. With it being more of an enclosed campus, it makes me feel safer. The people at Missouri Baptist are always full of love and much joy. I think being on a Christian-based campus not only helps the mind, but it also helps the soul by having that constant feeling of love and connection with God. I wish that I went to Chapel more than I did this past semester because I felt that I drew away from God more than I should have. But being around people who talk about God daily and who praise him every second makes life on campus better. When it is time for me to graduate college and go to graduate school, I could not imagine going to a different university or college other than a Christian-based university or college. Missouri Baptist University has set a foundation for students and staff, along with visitors, that I think will remain. I think Missouri Baptist is perfect just the way it was made and that nothing needs to be changed.... Read 257 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $23,356

• SAT range 870-1110

• Parkville, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,288 reviews

Alum: If I could use one word to describe Park University, it would be 'family.' Though Park's slogan is "one family", I chose the word family to describe my experience at Park due to the small, close feel of classes and organizations. Throughout Park, you will find a myriad of experiences, both in and out of the classroom. It doesn't matter what year you're in, what you're studying -- your opinion matters. You have the ability to make an impact on campus, personally. That is something that you don't get at every school. Outside of your own experiences, the faculty and staff are incredibly helpful. As someone who became heavily involved on campus, some of the faculty became great friends of mine and were instrumental in me getting into my current (and quite specialized) graduate program. I cannot recommend giving Park University a second look enough. Go, Pirates!... Read 1,288 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $15,999

• SAT range —