State Hub

Colleges in Missouri

CampusPin tracks 91 colleges in Missouri — 71 universities and 20 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

91

Universities

71

Community colleges

20

Avg. in-state tuition

$18k

About college search in Missouri

How Missouri's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Missouri’s public higher-education sector includes 13 public universities, with the University of Missouri System operating four campuses (Mizzou Columbia flagship, UMKC, Missouri S&T in Rolla, and UMSL). Other publics include Missouri State (Springfield), Truman State (Kirksville — a public liberal-arts university), Southeast Missouri State, Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Western, and Lincoln University (HBCU, Jefferson City). The Missouri Community College Association coordinates 12 public community colleges. Private institutions include Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Drury (Springfield), and several mid-sized liberal-arts colleges.

Mizzou as flagship

The University of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia is the state’s primary public flagship and land-grant research institution.

UM System (4 campuses)

The UM System runs Mizzou, UMKC (Kansas City), Missouri S&T (Rolla), and UMSL (St. Louis).

Truman State as public liberal-arts

Truman State University in Kirksville is one of the few public liberal-arts universities in the U.S.

Lincoln University as HBCU

Lincoln University in Jefferson City is Missouri’s public HBCU and land-grant institution.

Public university system

University of Missouri System + Missouri public universities

Missouri’s public four-year sector includes the UM System (4 campuses) plus 9 other public universities individually governed.

Community college network

Missouri community colleges (12 institutions)

Missouri operates 12 public community colleges with formal transfer paths via CORE 42 — a state-mandated general-education transfer block.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Missouri in-state public tuition is in the lower-middle range nationally. The Access Missouri grant and A+ Scholarship reduce in-state costs for eligible students. Verify current eligibility with the institution.

Top metros for college search

Where Missouri's higher-education density concentrates

  • St. Louis

    St. Louis hosts Washington University (private, one of the more selective in the U.S.), Saint Louis University (private), UMSL, Webster (private), and St. Louis Community College.

  • Kansas City

    Kansas City hosts UMKC, Rockhurst (private), and the Metropolitan Community College system across the metro.

  • Columbia

    Columbia is built around the University of Missouri (Mizzou), the state’s primary public flagship.

  • Springfield

    Springfield is the home of Missouri State University, Drury (private), and Evangel (private).

  • Rolla

    Rolla is the home of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), the state’s STEM-focused public research university.

Midwest region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Missouri

Across Missouri (MO), CampusPin currently indexes 91 institutions: 27 public and 64 private, split between 71 universities and 20 community colleges. Students often balance affordability, campus culture, public systems, and the tradeoff between local value and out-of-state reach.

Use size and setting filters after your first pass to separate flagship, regional, and smaller-campus experiences.
Look closely at support services and career pathways when several schools seem similar on cost.
Keep community-college transfer routes in the mix when price discipline matters from day one.

Browse by major

Missouri colleges by program

Jump straight to Missouri colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Missouri.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Missouri

Showing 60 of 91 — use search or filters to see the rest.

Filter all Missouri schools

C

M

How to use the Missouri hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Missouri so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Missouri

Explore all colleges in MissouriView community colleges in MissouriView online programs in MissouriRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Missouri

Which is the public flagship university in Missouri?
The University of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia is the state’s public flagship and land-grant institution.
How many HBCUs are in Missouri?
Missouri has two HBCUs: Lincoln University (public, Jefferson City) and Harris-Stowe State University (public, St. Louis).
How does CORE 42 work?
CORE 42 is Missouri’s state-mandated general-education transfer block. Students who complete the 42-credit-hour block at any Missouri public institution can transfer those credits to any other Missouri public institution with general-education requirements met.
What is Truman State University?
Truman State, located in Kirksville, is one of the few public liberal-arts universities in the U.S. It operates with a smaller enrollment and more selective admissions than most state regional universities — designed as Missouri’s public alternative to private liberal-arts colleges.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Missouri search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Missouri

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.