College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Colleges in Missouri

48 Colleges
$50,452 Avg Salary*
42% Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*

When pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Top Missouri Colleges ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

We analyzed 48 colleges and universities across Missouri to determine which were the best in terms of overall quality. Our ranking methodology focuses on over 20 different objective factors - such as graduation rate, post graduate earnings, and a school's average expenditure per student - to make this determination.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

We've developed a number of other tools and rankings to help you make your college decision. Start by filtering this list by location or field of study and then explore our other rankings that feature schools great for different groups of students such as veterans or returnings adults.

Associate Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Bachelor's Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Master's Degree Rankings Grad School Rankings
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Grad School Rankings

We've created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another!

Top Colleges in Missouri

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1

Our 2024 rankings named Washington University in St Louis the best school in Missouri in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 5,763 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from WUSTL make an average of $82,732 per year during the early years of their career.

Full Washington University in St Louis Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. This medium-sized public school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 2,405 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology go into careers with an average salary of $80,289 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Missouri University of Science and Technology

3
Ranken Technical College crest
Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ranken Technical College. The school came in at #3 in Missouri on this year’s overall quality ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 701 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Ranken Technical College is $54,941 during the early years of their career.

Full Ranken Technical College Report

4

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Missouri - Columbia helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Missouri. Located in Columbia, Missouri, the large public school awarded 9,036 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. During the early years of their career, graduates from Mizzou make an average of $56,986 a year.

Read More…

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Maryville University of Saint Louis. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. Maryville U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,992 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Maryville U make an average of $53,466 per year during the early years of their career.

Read More…

6
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #6, Webster University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 3,690 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% During the early years of their career, graduates from Webster make an average of $47,663 a year.

Read More…

7
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #7, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. SLU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 3,422 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SLU is $65,934 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

8
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Colleges in Missouri list. Located in Parkville, Missouri, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2,692 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $51,085 during the early years of their career..

Read More…

9
Rockhurst crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri

With a ranking of #9, Rockhurst University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. Rockhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,166 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $58,922 during the early years of their career..

Read full report on Rockhurst University

10

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large public school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 3,031 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UMSL is $48,360 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Missouri - St Louis

11

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri ranking. This large public school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 5,871 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State go into careers with an average salary of $45,589 during the early years of their career.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Report

12

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri ranking, coming in at #12. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,692 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UMKC go into careers with an average salary of $52,279 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Report

13
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Colleges in Missouri list. Truman State University is a small public school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 1,327 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Truman State go into careers with an average salary of $50,719 during the early years of their career.

Full Truman State University Report

14

State Technical College of Missouri ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges in Missouri list. STC is a small public school situated in Linn, Missouri. It awarded 736 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from STC go into careers with an average salary of $48,518 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

15
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 2,068 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Lindenwood University go into careers with an average salary of $47,009 during the early years of their career.

Full Lindenwood University Report

16
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri ranking. Columbia College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 2,912 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Missouri make an average of $43,125 per year during the early years of their career.

Read More…

17

Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking. MCC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,519 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,177 during the early years of their career..

Read More…

18
SCC crest
St Charles Community College
Cottleville, Missouri

With a ranking of #18, St Charles Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. SCC is a public institution located in Cottleville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 954 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from SCC go into careers with an average salary of $39,804 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on St Charles Community College

19

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking. Located in Maryville, Missouri, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,114 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Northwest make an average of $43,505 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Northwest Missouri State University

20
Stephens crest
Stephens College
Columbia, Missouri

With a ranking of #20, Stephens College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. Stephens is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 182 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty rate of 8 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. During the early years of their career, graduates from Stephens make an average of $38,034 a year.

Read full report on Stephens College

21
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges in Missouri list. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large public school located in Warrensburg, Missouri that handed out 3,103 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UCM is $43,755 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Central Missouri Report

22
William Jewell crest
William Jewell College
Liberty, Missouri

William Jewell College landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri ranking. Located in Liberty, Missouri, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 245 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $52,861 during the early years of their career..

Read full report on William Jewell College

23
William Woods crest
William Woods University
Fulton, Missouri

With a ranking of #23, William Woods University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Missouri list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Fulton, Missouri, and it awarded 670 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% During the early years of their career, graduates from William Woods make an average of $39,395 a year.

Read More…

24

Southwest Baptist University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Colleges in Missouri list. Southwest Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Bolivar, Missouri that handed out 767 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University go into careers with an average salary of $40,499 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southwest Baptist University

25
MBU crest
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Missouri Baptist University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges in Missouri list. MBU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 746 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from MBU is $39,658 during the early years of their career.

Full Missouri Baptist University Report

Best Colleges in the Plains States Region

View Best Colleges Nationwide >

All Majors and Fields of Study >

More Rankings >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options