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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in Missouri

6 Colleges in the United States
251 Best Degrees Awarded
$52,458 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in Missouri

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for best. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $68,911 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. More information about a degree in best from University Of Missouri Columbia

2
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

A rank of #2 makes Lindenwood University one of the top schools for best. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. Lindenwood University awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,663. More information about a degree in best from Lindenwood University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the top schools for best. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $49,846 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741. Get the full best details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

4

Southeast Missouri State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,289. More information about a degree in best from Southeast Missouri State University

5
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Park University graduates 37% of students within six years. About 64 best degrees were awarded at Park University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Park University earn a median of $62,141 early in their careers. Park University graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. See the full best program report for Park University

6

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for best this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 best students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $42,399. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Missouri State University Springfield

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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