Best colleges in Missouri

·Stacker

4 PM production // Shutterstock
4 PM production // Shutterstock

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Missouri using 2027 rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Online schools were excluded from the rankings. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

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#10. Evangel University

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1 / 10

#10. Evangel University

- Location: Springfield, MO
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- SAT Range: 1040-1260

#9. Maryville University of St. Louis

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2 / 10

#9. Maryville University of St. Louis

- Location: Saint Louis, MO
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- SAT Range: 1000-1230

#8. University of Central Missouri

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3 / 10

#8. University of Central Missouri

- Location: Warrensburg, MO
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- SAT Range: not available

#7. University of Missouri—St. Louis

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4 / 10

#7. University of Missouri—St. Louis

- Location: Saint Louis, MO
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- SAT Range: 1060-1290

#6. Missouri University of Science and Technology

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5 / 10

#6. Missouri University of Science and Technology

- Location: Rolla, MO
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- SAT Range: 1190-1420

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#5. University of Missouri - Kansas City

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6 / 10

#5. University of Missouri - Kansas City

- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- SAT Range: 1290-1550

#4. Saint Louis University

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7 / 10

#4. Saint Louis University

- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- SAT Range: 1200-1410

#3. University of Missouri

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8 / 10

#3. University of Missouri

- Location: Columbia, MO
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- SAT Range: 1150-1330

#2. College of the Ozarks

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9 / 10

#2. College of the Ozarks

- Location: Point Lookout, MO
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- SAT Range: 1050-1220

#1. Washington University in St. Louis

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10 / 10

#1. Washington University in St. Louis

- Location: Saint Louis, MO
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- SAT Range: 1500-1570

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