Best Colleges in Missouri of 2023

Washington University in St. Louis is a 150-year-old research institute home to over 15,000 students. With nearly $880 million awarded to the university in fiscal year 2021 and more than 3,000 research projects conducted each year, the faculty and students of WUSTL are leading the way at one of the state's top colleges. WUSTL operates its degree programs with an interdisciplinary approach through eight schools and colleges that offer 1,500 courses within 90 fields of study. Each school offers its own study abroad programs, giving students the opportunity to participate in global studies. WUSTL is also home to the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, a distinguished museum with famous works of art from big names like Pollock and Picasso.

Saint Louis University is a global Jesuit school with campuses in Missouri and Spain. Founded over 200 years ago, SLU is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the nation. Student groups like the Interfaith Alliance make it known that all are welcome at SLU, no matter their religious identity. SLU is responsible for founding the first business, law, and medicine schools west of the Mississippi River. Today, the university operates 13 different colleges and schools and provides the opportunity for U.S. students to attend a summer session in Spain at the Madrid campus. As a Jesuit university, SLU approaches education with the whole person in mind, preparing students mind, body, and spirit. Academically, the school's research institute is continuing to grow and recently received a $50 million donation to fund research efforts for the next 10 years.

The Missouri University of Science and Technology is "solving for tomorrow." This school has a vision for the future that is made evident in their mission to prepare their students for careers and challenges that have yet to exist. MST provides a classic liberal arts education as well as cutting edge computer and engineering degrees. For every MST degree there is an eight-semester plan already mapped out for students to follow and stay the course to graduate within four years. Of those degree programs, MST has quite the selection of engineering programs. Students interested in engineering can choose from the following: aerospace, architectural, ceramic, chemical, computer, electrical, environment, geological, mechanical, metallurgical, mining, nuclear, and petroleum.

The University of Missouri has the honor of being "first" in quite a few categories: first public university west of the Mississippi River, first journalism school, and creator of the homecoming tradition. Mizzou is also a member of the Association of American Universities, a prestigious association of only 64 universities in the United States and Canada. Known as a top research university, Mizzou spends close to $390 million annually on research expenditures. Both undergraduates and graduates can get involved with research at Mizzou through workshops, courses, scholarships, and fellowships. The university has laid out paths for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in research careers.

College of the Ozarks is the smallest school on our list and the most affordable option. C of O is one of nine work colleges that allows full-time students to work a minimum of 15 hours each week and two 40-hour work weeks per school year to help pay for their tuition in full. Although Tuition Assurance scholarships cover the cost of tuition, students are still responsible for the additional expenses that come with college life, such as fees, books, supplies, housing, and food. C of O operates five pre-professional programs in dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary studies. These courses prepare students for future professional programs. There are also 36 discipline categories for students to choose from, each with several minor and major degrees available.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is a metropolitan land-grant research institute that serves the city of St. Louis on the eastern border of the state. UMSL is yet another research institute in the state of Missouri, with three research centers dedicated to discovering new information about mental health, neurodynamics, and community innovation. There are over 300 degree and certificate programs available to students in a variety of disciplines awarded through the university's nine schools and colleges. UMSL is recognized as seriously committed to diversity and inclusion as a six-time recipient of the HEED award from INSIGHTS into Diversity Magazine. UMSL's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion provides initiatives, leadership, and support through equity-resolution processing and campus events.

Founded in 1933, the University of Missouri-Kansas City was originally named the University of Kansas City. It was later renamed in the 1960s after it joined the University of Missouri system. For being a relatively large university, UMKC has a decent student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 and an average class size of 26 students. When students aren't in class, it's easy for them to stay connected through the school's 300+ student clubs and organizations. One standout feature of UMKC is the variety of performance programs it offers through its internationally recognized Conservatory. Students have the option of joining programs for dance, music composition, music theory, musicology, instrumental studies, jazz studies, keyboard studies, music education, music therapy, theater, and vocal studies as well as a handful of broad-scope performance degrees and certificates.

Maryville University has empowered students to build their careers for the last 150 years. First-year students have a unique advantage at Maryville because they are assigned a life coach who acts not only as an academic adviser but as a mentor. Students receive the help they need to ease into the drastically new experience of college life. Even online students have access to life coaching and can also receive help from student support advisors. Outside of academic support, students are also able to receive health, wellness, and spirituality support through school services and programs. The Maryville Solution Squad is another great support service for students who are having trouble managing their academic records or financial aid documentation.

Truman State University was founded in 1867 by Joseph Baldwin as a training school for teachers. Now the university is home to 4,500 students earning degrees across a variety of disciplines. Once students have chosen from the 150+ degree paths, the school provides access to "learning by doing" opportunities through internships, research, study abroad, and more. Truman State University is a school that desires to come alongside its students and fan the flames of their interests and passions into successful and fulfilling careers. The school has combined a traditional liberal arts education with a holistic, hands-on learning approach for a unique and personal experience. Outside the classroom, the school's 230 student clubs are open to students looking to form social connections with their peers.

Westminster College is located in the city of Fulton just 30 minutes southeast of Columbia. This small private liberal arts college is committed to "educate and inspire all its students." The school's 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio further adds to the close-knit community feel of this college of roughly 650 students. Westminster has an impressive study abroad offering. There are eight exchange programs connected to eight different colleges around the globe, allowing students to swap places with international peers without any extra tuition cost. Students can also directly enroll in universities in Spain, London, Australia, and Italy through the college, paying full tuition at their chosen school. There are also short-term programs lasting anywhere from three to six weeks in the summer and winter that focus on excursions and cultural activities. Speaking of global experiences, the Westminster College campus is where Winston Churchill gave his famous speech titled "Iron Curtain Speech'' in 1946.

Missouri State University takes diversity seriously. Over the past five years, Missouri State has spurred a 27% increase in underrepresented groups, and that figure continues to grow. The university has a dedicated Multicultural Services unit that promotes and celebrates diversity not just on campus, but online as well. Multicultural Services heads initiatives including Student Leadership and Diversity Institute (SDLI), which helps students understand and interrupt systemic racism. The unit also leads the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship, which provides scholarship funding to students actively engaged in social justice, and a Multicultural Networking Reception, held annually in the fall. These and other efforts make Missouri State University a community that not only values diversity, but insists upon it.