Best Colleges in Missouri 2026

Missouri's top colleges blend specialized healthcare training with world-class research universities, offering students diverse pathways to academic success. Among 47 qualifying institutions, private nonprofit schools dominate the highest ranks, with four of the top five spots. These leading programs excel in graduate outcomes, with strong job placement rates and competitive starting salaries for graduates. Southeast Missouri Hospital College leads with focused nursing education, while Washington University provides comprehensive research opportunities. When evaluating Missouri schools, students should examine program-specific accreditation, faculty-to-student ratios, and career services support. The state's mix includes specialized health science colleges, technical institutes, and major research universities, ensuring options for various academic interests and career goals.

Schools Ranked

$59,176

Avg. Earnings

63.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences Cape Girardeau, Missouri	100.0%	$60,918	25.8%	$11,691
2	Cox College Springfield, Missouri	100.0%	$56,867	33.3%	$15,599
3	University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	75.5%	$137,047	91.6%	$31,920
4	Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	94.4%	$86,182	11.8%	$62,982
5	State Technical College of Missouri Linn, Missouri	79.0%	$55,901		$7,830
6	Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri	68.4%	$56,280	45.1%	$9,470
7	Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri	63.6%	$82,957	81.5%	$14,278
8	William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri	61.6%	$59,268	41.0%	$19,890
9	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	76.2%	$63,403	79.1%	$14,130
10	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	61.3%	$41,592	21.1%	$21,290
11	University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	56.9%	$53,037	51.1%	$13,440
12	North Central Missouri College Trenton, Missouri	56.4%	$40,837		$4,950
13	Chamberlain University-Missouri St. Louis, Missouri	33.3%	$92,405	71.4%	$19,686
14	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri	55.9%	$59,637	69.5%	$11,988
15	Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, Missouri	50.6%	$55,955		$17,490
16	Rockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri	75.6%	$67,102	66.5%	$43,420
17	Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, Missouri	70.0%	$50,535	94.3%	$9,400
18	Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri	71.5%	$62,105	87.8%	$27,166
19	Webster University Saint Louis, Missouri	61.1%	$50,876	55.1%	$30,730
20	Calvary University Kansas City, Missouri	52.6%	$45,421	63.2%	$13,692
21	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri	49.4%	$49,560	71.3%	$9,739
22	Moberly Area Community College Moberly, Missouri	39.5%	$37,537		$4,020
23	Crowder College Neosho, Missouri	43.3%	$35,987		$6,180
24	Mineral Area College Park Hills, Missouri	42.3%	$35,352		$5,180
25	Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, Missouri	39.8%	$42,647		$9,800