12 Top Missouri Colleges and Universities

Missouri's options for higher education are remarkably diverse. From a large public university like the University of Missouri to a small Christian work college like College of the Ozarks, Missouri has schools to match a wide range of student personalities and interests. The 12 top Missouri colleges listed below vary greatly in size and mission, so I have simply listed them alphabetically rather than force them into any sort of artificial ranking. That said, Washington University is the most selective and prestigious institution on the list. The schools were chosen based on factors such as academic reputation, curricular innovations, first-year retention rates, six-year graduation rates, selectivity, financial aid and student engagement.

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College of the Ozarks

Location: Point Lookout, Missouri
Enrollment: 1,517 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: Private, Christian liberal arts work college
Distinctions: full-time students do not pay tuition; "stone-cold sober" reputation; 14 to 1 student / faculty ratio; students often work to cover educational costs; 1,000-acre campus
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the College of the Ozarks profile

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Maryville University. Photo credit: Jay Fram

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Enrollment: 6,828 (2,967 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Small private university
Distinctions: 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio; 130-acre campus with woods, lakes and hiking trails; challenging curriculum; membership in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference; good financial aid
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Maryville University profile

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology. Adavidb / Wikimedia Commons

Location: Rolla, Missouri
Enrollment: 8,835 (6,906 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Public university with science and technology focus
Distinctions: first technological institution west of the Mississippi; many outdoor opportunities in the Ozarks; 21 to 1 student / faculty ratio; membership in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Missouri University of Science and Technology profile

Rockhurst University

Rockhurst University. Shaverc / Wikimedia Commons

Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Enrollment: 2,854 (2,042 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Private Jesuit univeristy
Distinctions: 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 24; membership in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference; emphasis on service as well as academics
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Rockhurst University profile

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University Cupples House. Matthew Black / Flickr

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Enrollment: 16,591 (11,779 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Private Jesuit university
Distinctions: 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 23; membership in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference; highly ranked Jesuit university; second oldest Jesuit university in the country; students come from all 50 states and 90 countries; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Saint Louis University profile

Stephens College

Stephens College. Photo Courtesy of Stephens College

Location: Columbia, Missouri
Enrollment: 954 (729 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Private women's liberal arts college
Distinctions: second oldest women's college in the country; 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 13; notable programs in the performing arts, health, and business; good financial aid
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Stephens College profile

Truman State University

Truman State University. Vu Nguyen / Flickr

Location: Kirksville, Missouri
Enrollment: 6,379 (6,039 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Public liberal arts college
Distinctions: excellent value; 17 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 24; 250 student organizations; strong Greek system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; membership in the NCAA Division II Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association; no cost to apply
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Truman State University profile

University of Missouri (Columbia)

Jesse Hall at the University of Missouri. bk1bennett / Flickr

Location: Columbia, Missouri
Enrollment: 33,239 (25,877 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Public research university
Distinctions: chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; largest university in Missouri; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; active Greek system; membership in the NCAA Division I SEC Conference
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs, and other information, visit the University of Missouri profile

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis. 黄若云 / Flickr

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Enrollment: 15,047 (7,555 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Private research university
Distinctions: most selective and prestigious university in Missouri; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; high retention and graduation rates; residential college system
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Washington University profile

Webster University

Webster University. Matthew Black / Flickr

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Enrollment: 13,906 (3,138 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Private university
Distinctions: 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 11; students from 50 states and 129 countries; strong international presence
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Webster University profile

Westminster College

Westminster College in Missouri. The History Faculty / Flickr

Location: Fulton, Missouri
Enrollment: 876 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: Private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio; students from 26 states and 61 countries; excellent value; location of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the Westminster College profile

William Jewell College

William Jewell College Gano Chapel. Patrick Hoesley / Flickr

Location: Liberty, Missouri
Enrollment: 997 (992 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: Private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio; popular nursing and business programs; good financial aid; membership in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (starting in 2011)
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, visit the William Jewell College profile

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Explore Other Top Midwestern Colleges

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http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegerankings/tp/Top-Midwest-Colleges-And-Universities.htmExpand your search to other colleges and universities in the region: 30 Top Midwest Colleges and Universities.