Best
Colleges in Missouri in 2027

Business Administration

Studying business administration in Missouri builds skills in accounting, finance, marketing, management, economics, business law, and data analytics. Programs combine classroom learning with internships or projects. Graduates may pursue roles such as business analyst, marketing coordinator, human resources specialist, operations supervisor, or sales manager. Popular Missouri options include the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri State University in Springfield, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Compare curricula, delivery formats, and admission requirements.

Psychology

Studying psychology in Missouri offers pathways to understand behavior and mental processes through coursework in research methods, statistics, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognition, and abnormal psychology. Students can attend the University of Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, or Missouri State University. Programs often combine classroom learning with labs, internships, or community experience. Graduates commonly pursue roles in human services, case management, behavioral health support, or research assistance, and, with graduate training, counseling.

Computer Science

Studying computer science in Missouri offers pathways through public universities and private colleges. Programs typically cover programming, algorithms, data structures, operating systems, databases, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Students build practical skills through projects, internships, and research. Graduates commonly pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, or IT consultants. Popular choices include the University of Missouri, Missouri S&T, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Counseling

Studying counseling in Missouri prepares students to support individuals, families, and communities through evidence-based care. Programs commonly cover counseling theories, ethics, lifespan development, assessment, multicultural counseling, group work, and supervised clinical practice. Graduates may pursue roles as licensed professional counselors, school counselors, substance-use counselors, or behavioral-health case managers, depending on degree level and licensure. Missouri options include the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri State University, University of Missouri, and Saint Louis University, which offer counseling programs.

Nursing

Studying a nursing program in Missouri prepares students to provide safe, compassionate care across diverse settings. Coursework typically includes anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, health assessment, nursing fundamentals, and clinical practice. Missouri options include the University of Missouri in Columbia, Saint Louis University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Missouri State University. Graduates may pursue registered nurse roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, public health agencies, or schools, supporting patients through treatment, education, and prevention.

Best Colleges in Missouri Ranking Summary & Conclusions

• The total median cost of studying is 19,530.0, compared with 35,243.1 at schools in the top 10% of the ranking. Average financial aid availability is 100.0% across the schools and 75.65% among top-10% schools.
• The average acceptance rate is 75.65%. Schools receive an average of 3,599.47 applicants, while schools in the top 10% average 8,352.0 applicants. The median number of applicants is 560.0 for men and 814.0 for women.
• Average test scores are 1,140.52 on the SAT and 23.65 on the ACT. The average number of enrolled students is 4,292.44; averages are 255.19 enrolled men and 305.76 enrolled women.
• The average graduation rate is 52.14%, compared with 75.0% for schools in the top 10%. Median graduation rates are 50.0% for men and 56.5% for women.
• Among the institutions counted, 42 offer associate's degrees, 64 offer bachelor's degrees, 55 offer master's degrees, and 23 offer doctor's degrees. There are 59 coeducational schools, 0 schools for men, and 0 schools for women.
• When choosing a college, compare cost and financial aid with the graduation outcomes that matter to you, and consider how selectivity, applicant volume, test scores, enrollment, degree offerings, and school type fit your priorities. The figures show that top-10% schools have higher median costs and applicant volumes, lower average financial aid availability, and higher average graduation rates, so weigh those differences against your own needs.

How much does studying at a college in Missouri cost?

On average, the reported total cost of studying in Missouri is $21,579.11. This figure offers a practical starting point as you compare degree options at popular schools such as the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri State University in Springfield, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Your actual expenses can vary with your chosen campus, program, housing, and personal spending, so check each college's current cost estimates before making a budget. Average reported expenses include:

• Tuition and fees: $21,274.86
• Room and board: $11,850.96
• Books and supplies: $1,176.23

Use these figures as reference points rather than adding them together, since the reported averages may represent different cost groupings. Room and board varies depending on whether you live at home, rent nearby, or choose campus housing. Set aside funds for books, then ask colleges about scholarships, grants, and payment plans. A clear budget can make choosing a Missouri degree feel more manageable and exciting.

How long does it take to finish college in Missouri?

Full-time Missouri students typically need four years for a bachelor's degree and two for an associate degree. Part-time study, work, family responsibilities, or changing majors can extend that timeline. At Mizzou and Missouri State University, advisers can help students plan courses and enjoy campus life while progressing.

Missouri's average graduation rate is 52.14%, suggesting roughly half of students in the measured group complete within the reported timeframe. The average is 75% among the top 10% of schools; reported rates are 50.38% for men and 54.06% for women. These figures show outcomes vary by institution and student circumstances.

You may finish sooner by bringing in prior learning or credits and choosing an accelerated path:

• Use AP, IB, or dual-enrollment credits accepted by your college.
• Take summer courses or heavier, carefully planned course loads.
• Transfer eligible credits or explore competency-based, accelerated programs.
• Ask advisers whether your intended major offers streamlined degree pathways.

Salary

After graduating from college in Missouri, you can expect a median alumni salary of about $43,286. Graduates of schools in the state's top 10% earn a median of about $68,034 - a promising benchmark if you're aiming for a higher-paying career.

• Across Missouri colleges and universities: $43,286 median alumni salary
• At schools in the top 10%: $68,034 median alumni salary

Missouri offers a range of places to pursue a degree, including the University of Missouri (Mizzou), Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Washington University in St. Louis. These figures give you a broad sense of graduate earnings in the state; your own salary may vary depending on your field, experience, and chosen school.

People also ask

What are the three biggest colleges in Missouri?

By student enrollment among four-year universities, the largest are the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Each offers a different campus experience, from Mizzou's classic college-town setting to UMKC's urban location. Rankings can differ if community-college systems or branch campuses are counted.

How many colleges are there in Missouri?

Missouri has roughly 100 colleges and universities, but there isn't one universally fixed total. Counts vary depending on whether they include community-college campuses, private career schools, online institutions, and branch locations. For a prospective student, that variety is encouraging: the state offers options ranging from large research universities to smaller, more focused colleges.

Top 5 Colleges in the Best Colleges Ranking in Missouri Ranking in 2026-2027

Washington University in St. Louis offers Missouri students a highly selective private university experience, with 15,934 enrolled students and a 12% acceptance rate. Its 94% graduation rate is the highest among these five schools. The listed total study cost is $64,500, while median alumni salary is $57,449. Located in St. Louis, it may suit students seeking a research-oriented campus in Missouri and willing to weigh higher costs against strong completion outcomes and a prominent urban setting for college life.

The University of Missouri-Columbia, often called Mizzou, gives Missouri residents a large public-university option in Columbia. It enrolls 32,105 students, the largest total among the five listed schools, and admits 78% of applicants. Its 75% graduation rate is the second-highest in this group. The listed total cost is $34,877, and median alumni salary is $51,985. Students seeking broad campus life, public-university scale, and an established in-state setting may find Mizzou a practical choice when comparing Missouri colleges for their education.

Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla is a public institution especially associated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It has 7,173 enrolled students and a 73% acceptance rate, offering a smaller community than Missouri's largest public campus. The graduation rate is 64%; listed total study cost is $31,920. Median alumni salary, at $75,236, is highest among these five schools. For Missouri students drawn to technical fields and career-focused study, S&T merits close comparison with other in-state options.

Located in Kansas City, the University of Missouri-Kansas City offers Missouri students an urban public-university setting. Its 14,886 enrolled students make it a mid-sized choice among the five schools listed. UMKC reports a 72% acceptance rate and a 55% graduation rate. The listed total cost of study is $30,650, while median alumni salary is $49,935. Students who want city access and an in-state university may consider UMKC, comparing its cost and completion figures with their goals and preferred campus environment.

William Jewell College in Liberty is a small private liberal arts college, offering a different scale from Missouri's large public universities. It enrolls 1,469 students and has a 38% acceptance rate, the lowest among these five schools. Its graduation rate is 68%. The listed total cost is $19,320, the lowest in this group, while median alumni salary is $62,797. Missouri students seeking a smaller college community may find Jewell worth exploring, balancing affordability with the learning environment they personally prefer.