Top Missouri Colleges and Universities

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Missouri is a midwestern state with a long tradition of innovation in education. Several of its most prestigious universities are described below.
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Top Five Schools in Missouri

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis is consistently ranked as one of the premier research institutions in the nation. Its prominence is due to many achievements in its various academic programs, in particular its scientific contribution to the famed Human Genome Project. There are currently 7,386 undergraduate students on campus, with almost twice that many graduate students enrolled in the professionals and graduate programs; one program in particular, physical therapy, is ranked second in the country. Washington University is ranked #12 in U.S. News and World Report's list of America's Best Colleges.

St. Louis University

Founded by the Jesuits in 1818, St. Louis University is the oldest institution for higher learning west of the Mississippi. There are 10,383 undergraduate students enrolled at St. Louis University, which is currently ranked #82 by U.S. News and World Report. During the 1940's, the university opposed segregationist policies in the city's academic institutions and was among the first to open its doors to students of all races in 1943. This tradition of liberal religious tradition continues to influence the university through today. It offers over 85 undergraduates degree programs. In addition, St. Louis University has a sister campus in Madrid Spain, where students can apply to study for a year or more. Barron's Best Buys in College Education listed St. Louis University among 247 other colleges in the U.S. as offering an education that is first-rate at a price that is affordable.

University of Missouri-Columbia

The University of Missouri-Colombia, also known as Mizzou, was the first public university west of the Mississippi at its founding in 1839. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 21,484 students in a wide variety of academic programs. Of particular note is UM's journalism program, which was the first of its kind in the nation and continues to provide an award-winning education. Colombia, Missouri is a traditional college town with a great environment for students to learn. The University of Missouri-Colombia is currently ranked #91 by U.S. News and World Report.

University of Missouri-Rolla

Part of the Missouri University system, UM at Rolla is unique in that its academic focus is on engineering, computing and the hard sciences. The university was founded in 1870 in Rolla, in the central part of the state, and has grown to have an undergraduate enrollment of 4,515 students. The University of Missouri-Rolla is ranked #118 by U.S. News and World Report. As of January 2008, the name of this institution will officially change to Missouri University of Science and Technology and will continue to feature unique projects designed by the campus's engineering students.

Missouri State University

Missouri State University was established in 1905 in Springfield, Missouri. Once called Southwest Missouri State University, it has since changed its name to reflect its new, statewide mission. There are 16,234 students enrolled at MSU, making the institution the second largest in the state. It offers over 150 majors at the undergraduate level. It operates the state's biggest internship program, where students gain experience with employers throughout the state of Missouri. Missouri State's room and board and tuition costs are below the national and state averages.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
      • Bachelor: Accounting
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA - General Management
      • BBA Human Resources Management
      • BBA Medical Services Management
      • BS Human & Social Services
      • General Management (GM) - BBA
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
      • AS - Business
      • AS - Criminal Justice
      • AS - Accounting
      • AS - Human Resources Specialist
      • AS - IT Networking
    Certificate
      • Business Assistant Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma
      • Business - AAS
      • Business Assistant - Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Svcs. - Diploma
      • Accounting Assistant Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Secondary Education
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: Communication
      • CTG: Criminal Justice
      • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
      • CTG: Higher Education Administration
      • CTG: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • CTG: Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
      • DBA: Business Administration
      • Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Homeland Security
    Master's
      • MS: Criminal Justice
      • MS: Criminal Justice - Critical Incident Management
      • MA: Creative Writing - Poetry
      • MAcc: Accounting
      • MBA: Project Management
    Bachelor's
      • BA: Criminal Justice
      • BA: Criminal Justice - Criminalistics
      • BA: Psychology
      • BA: Psychology - General
      • BS: Computer Science
      • BA: Psychology - Experimental
    Associate's
      • AA: Criminal Justice
      • AA: Business Administration
      • AA: Information Technology
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
      • Masters in Social Work
  • Campus and Online Programs
    7. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. Psychology
      • M.A. Behavioral Economics
      • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
      • M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: ARP Track
      • M.A. International Psychology
    Certificate
      • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
      • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
      • Certificate in Behavioral Economics
      • Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Certificate in Organizational Leadership
  • Campus and Online Programs
    8. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science - Film Production
      • MS - Entertainment Business (Campus)
      • Game Design Masters - Campus
      • Entertainment Business Masters - Campus
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
    Bachelor's
      • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
      • Bachelor of Science - Software Development
      • Communications Bachelors with Creative Writing Concentration - Campus
      • Film Production Masters - Campus
      • Communications Bachelors with Media Communications Concentration - Campus
      • Visual Arts Bachelors with Game Art Concentration - Campus
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Online Programs Available
    9. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Campus Locations:
    10. Universal Technical Institute

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Aviation Maintenance AAS
    Certificate
      • Collision Repair and Refinish Technology
      • Motorcycle Technician Specialist
      • Automotive Technology
      • Wind Power Technician
      • Marine Technician Specialist
      • Diesel Technology

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

What is your highest level of education?

Saint Leo University

  • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
  • MS: Criminal Justice
  • BA: Criminal Justice
  • AA: Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education completed?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Masters in Social Work

What is your highest level of education completed?

The Chicago School

  • M.A. Psychology
  • M.A. Behavioral Economics
  • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?

Full Sail University

  • Master of Science - Film Production
  • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?