Show-Me State Times

The University of Missouri has been ranked No. 4 among all flagship universities in the country for providing the best education for the money, according to this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings. This marks an improvement from last year's rank of No. 7. The Best Value ranking takes into account both the cost and quality of education, and Mizzou now holds the top spot among SEC, Big 10, Big 12, and PAC-12 institutions in this category.

University of Missouri President Mun Choi commented on the achievement: “The university’s ascent is undeniable. These rankings demonstrate the hard work of our faculty and staff as we continue to build upon a world-class environment for learning and research. We’re not just moving forward; we’re blazing a trail.”

The report also highlights recent investments in faculty and students at Mizzou, which have led to a decrease in the student-to-faculty ratio. This has resulted in smaller class sizes and more interaction between students and professors.

This fall saw nearly 6,000 freshmen join Mizzou's campus, marking a 16% increase over last year. MU Provost Matthew Martens noted: “More and more students from across the state and country are recognizing not only the value but the power of a Mizzou education. Students can see we are committed to providing hands-on learning experiences and leadership opportunities alongside relevant, foundational knowledge.”

U.S. News and World Report is one of several ranking systems that evaluate universities across various metrics. Time magazine recently placed Mizzou at No. 10 among flagship universities for preparing students to become leaders based on an analysis of where top U.S. leaders earned their degrees.

Money magazine also recognized Mizzou as one of America’s “Best Colleges” based on factors such as graduation rates, cost, financial aid, alumni salaries, and more. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal highlighted Mizzou as one of the best universities for its impact on graduate salaries relative to attendance costs, while Washington Monthly ranked it No. 18 among all flagship universities.

Jim Spain, Mizzou’s vice provost for undergraduate studies, emphasized the success of graduates: “We know that more than 95% of our graduates are getting jobs, going on to pursue their master’s or doctorate degrees or filling important service roles within six months of earning a bachelor’s degree, so these external numbers really just confirm what we’re seeing on campus.” Spain added that students are leveraging their experiences at Mizzou successfully after college.