Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Research Universities in Missouri 2023

By James Barham

Published: Apr 13, 2021
Updated: Jan 24, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in Missouri? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2022

Washington University in St. Louis
University of Missouri
Saint Louis University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Missouri–Kansas City
Missouri State University
University of Missouri–St. Louis
Lindenwood University
William Woods University
Maryville University

Colleges and Universities in Missouri

Tuition costs in Missouri fall below the national average, allowing students access to many affordable options. For example, at Missouri State University, the second largest public school, tuition fees are around $7,000. Students of actor John Goodman’s alma mater can major in fields like religious studies, history, and business, and even have the option of earning an associate degree in arts or a bachelor’s in business at the university’s sister school in China. Missouri also offers more than 40 private schools.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Tuition and student populations vary greatly among these schools, but students who attend these higher education institutes also have the option to attend classes at other campuses. For example, Saint Louis University, a college with Jesuit roots, has campuses in both St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Additionally, Missouri offers special loan forgiveness programs for nurses and other health professionals, including dentists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians, who work in designated, high-need areas.

When you aren’t exploring one of its 6,000 caves, chowing down on some barbecue, or taking in a live jazz performance, Missouri can serve as the perfect place to begin a road trip. The Show Me State is bordered by eight other U.S. states, making it ideal for students love travelling and planning weekend getaways. During the week days, students can continue on their road to success by pursuing their degree at one of Missouri’s 72 higher education institutes.

See where Missouri’s many roads can take you while earning your degree at one this state’s top learning institutions.

What are Missouri’s Colleges & Universities?

Missouri’s Best Overall

How do we determine Missouri's best research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 10 research universities in Missouri. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Best Research Universities in Missouri 2022

#1
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis , MO
#22 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Colleges in Missouri 2023 #1 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
93%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
What is Washington University in St. Louis known for?

Washington University in St. Louis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Biology
Medical
Chemistry
Law
Engineering
Social Work
Business
Anthropology
Physics
Education

Most Influential Alumni

Tennessee Williams
J. C. R. Licklider
Phyllis Schlafly
Daniel Nathans
Charles Eames
Marilyn vos Savant
Edwin G. Krebs
Michael Isikoff
İhsan Doğramacı
Clyde Cowan
William E. Moerner
Rochelle Walensky
Washington University in St. Louis’s Online Degrees
BS in Integrated Studies

Degree Concentrations
Humanities
Social Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#2
University of Missouri
Columbia , MO
#1 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Missouri 2023
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
73%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/26
What is University of Missouri known for?

University of Missouri’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Communications
Earth Sciences
Education
History
Literature
Sociology
Biology
Business
Anthropology
Psychology

Most Influential Alumni

Tennessee Williams
Barbara McClintock
Harlow Shapley
David McClelland
Eugenie Scott
Richard Matheson
Charles Stark Draper
Edgar Snow
William Manchester
Jim Lehrer
Margaret Weis
Jay E. Adams
University of Missouri’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Technology

Required Credits: 126
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education In A Mobile Society

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BES in Educational Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Sociology

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in English

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BGS in General Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN

Required Credits: 30
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BHS in Radiography

Required Credits: 30
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BHS in Respiratory Therapy

Required Credits: 30
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BHS in Public Health

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BHS in Health Science

Required Credits: 64
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Fitness Programming And Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#3
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis , MO
#4 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #16 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Missouri 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in Missouri 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
80%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/28
What is Saint Louis University known for?

Saint Louis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Religious Studies
Law
Social Work
Philosophy
Literature
Medical
History
Earth Sciences
Engineering

Most Influential Alumni

Garry Wills
Walter J. Ong
Gene Kranz
Marilyn vos Savant
Harvey Itano
William P. Leahy
Walter Brueggemann
Elizabeth Bates
Imogene King
Gary Gutting
Edward N. Peters
Stanisław Kluza
Saint Louis University’s Online Degrees
BS in Computer Information Systems

Degree Concentrations
Cybersecurity
Data Analytics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Leadership and Organizational Behavior

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in General Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Emergency Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Nursing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Organizational Leadership and Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Project Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Social Work

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#4
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla , MO
#2 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023 #4 Best Colleges in Missouri 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
63%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1314/28
What is Missouri University of Science and Technology known for?

Missouri University of Science and Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Physics
Chemistry
Economics
Mathematics
Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Business
Psychology
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Clyde Cowan
Farouk El-Baz
Roger Garrison
George Mueller
Sandra Magnus
George Allison Whiteman
M. Frederick Hawthorne
Mervin Kelly
Greg Raymer
Harold Garner
Janet L. Kavandi
Thomas Akers
#5
University of Missouri–Kansas City
Kansas City , MO
#3 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023 #5 Best Colleges in Missouri 2023 #5 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
57%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1157/24
What is University of Missouri–Kansas City known for?

University of Missouri–Kansas City’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Economics
Medical
Law
Political Science
Computer Science
Business
Chemistry
Biology
Philosophy
Engineering

Most Influential Alumni

Juris Hartmanis
Roger Garrison
Clarence M. Kelley
David F. Duncan
Charles Evans Whittaker
Donald Fehr
Janet E. Helms
Jerry Bails
Mary C. Daly
Juliana Rotich
Robert Courtney
William G. Hyland
#6
Missouri State University
Springfield , MO
#6 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023 #9 Best Colleges in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
59%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/24
What is Missouri State University known for?

Missouri State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Religious Studies
Chemistry
Business
Communications
Mathematics
Political Science
Education
Economics
Psychology

Most Influential Alumni

Lester R. Ford
Jim Bohannon
Adel Al-Hussain
Angelo Segrillo
Kathleen Turner
Ryan Howard
Kevin Brockmeier
Roy Blunt
Austin Petersen
Kendra Kassebaum
Farid Elias Khazen
Linda Rising
Missouri State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Health Services

Degree Concentrations
Health Services
Clinical services

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS/BS in Hospitality Leadership

Degree Concentrations
Club management
Food and beverage
General operations
Lodging
Senior living management
Tourism

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS/BA in Communication Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS/BA in Religious Studies

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS/BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Nursing

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Analysis

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Technology

Degree Concentrations
Application Development
IT Infrastructure or Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Professional Writing

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Finance

Degree Concentrations
Corporate and Investments
Financial Planning

Required Credits: 120-121
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Sociology

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in General Business

Degree Concentrations
Business Relationships
Financial and Quantitative Analysis
International Business Environment
Markets and Economies
Project and Technology Management
Risk Management and Compliance

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#7
University of Missouri–St. Louis
Saint Louis , MO
#7 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023 #8 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
58%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1172/24
What is University of Missouri–St. Louis known for?

University of Missouri–St. Louis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Biology
Sociology
Anthropology
Physics
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Chemistry
Economics
Social Work
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Lyda Krewson
Steve Gerber
Ella Jones
Michael G. Vaughn
Steve Stenger
Kathleen E. Fick
Gordon S. Heddell
Joseph Wu
Barry Pyle
Craig Treadway
Rocky Allen
Phyllis Smith
University of Missouri–St. Louis’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Entrepreneurship

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Finance

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in International Business

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BLS in Liberal Studies

Degree Concentrations
Business Administration
Criminology And Criminal Justice
Education
Communication
Gender Studies
History
Philosophy
Political Science
Social Work
Sociology
Psychological Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Supply Chain Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Business Administration

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Computer Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Computing Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Systems And Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Information Systems And Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity: Information Systems & Technology

Required Credits: 123
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in History

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Philosophy

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Political Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#8
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles , MO
#5 Best Private Colleges in Missouri 2023 #8 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
53%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/22
What is Lindenwood University known for?

Lindenwood University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

History
Education
Communications
Chemistry
Economics
Business
Political Science
Mathematics
Computer Science
Criminal Justice

Most Influential Alumni

Sally Perdue
Dan McLaughlin
Lee Daniels
Melanie Morgan
Ingrid Dahlberg
Greg Amsinger
Miriam Goldberg
Gary W. Schenkel
Randy Karraker
Alice Baber
Martha Ackmann
Mike Rodgers
Lindenwood University’s Online Degrees
BFA in Art & Design

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Art and Design

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Accounting

Required Credits: 78-80
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 78-80
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Health Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Art History & Visual Culture

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Game Design

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Business Administration

Degree Concentrations
Healthcare Management
Accounting
Finance
Management
Marketing
Supply Chain Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA/BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Pre-Art Therapy

Required Credits: 48
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA/BS in Human Resource Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in International Relations

Degree Concentrations
Asian Studies

Required Credits: 39
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Mass Communications

Degree Concentrations
Media Arts and Production
Media Management and Sales

Required Credits: 48
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Technology

Degree Concentrations
Applications Development
Networking

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Digital Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Finance

Required Credits: 75-77
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Finance

Required Credits: 78-80
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Paramedicine

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#9
William Woods University
Fulton , MO
#2 Best Christian Colleges in Missouri 2023 #3 Best Small Colleges in Missouri 2023 #6 Best Private Colleges in Missouri 2023 #9 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
55%
Student body
1K
What is William Woods University known for?

William Woods University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Psychology
Criminal Justice
Computer Science
Social Work
Medical
Mathematics
Communications
History
Education
Chemistry

Most Influential Alumni

Gina Loudon
Helen Stephens
Elly M. Peterson
Jan Meyers
Victoria J. Fraser
Carol Bartz
Luann Ridgeway
Robert J. Behnen
Shelley Keeney
Charlotte Niznik
Bo-Kang Liou
William Woods University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 122
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Management And Leadership

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Paralegal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Deaf Human Services

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Interpretation Studies Is Asl-English Degree

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#10
Maryville University
Saint Louis , MO
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
73%
Student body
9K
What is Maryville University known for?

Maryville University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Computer Science
Business
Medical
Education
Mathematics
Biology
Literature
Psychology
History

Most Influential Alumni

Florence Magruder Gilmore
Daniel Abebe
Adelina Otero-Warren
Jerry Costello
Theresa Obermeyer
Tom Saffell
Sally A. Faith
Jeanne Kirkton
Maryville University’s Online Degrees
BS in Exercise Science

Degree Concentrations
Wellness Management and Strength and Conditioning

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communication

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Data Science

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BFA in Digital Media

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in English

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Computer Science

Required Credits: 132
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Financial Services

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Management

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 132
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Human Development and Family Studies

Degree Concentrations
Child Life Specialist
Early Child Development
Youth Development
Family Life Education
Adult Development and Aging

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in History

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Degree Concentrations
Offensive Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
Defensive Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 45
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in General Studies

Degree Concentrations
Healthcare

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Psychology

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in International Studies

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Nursing

Required Credits: 129
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Mathematics

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Forensic Psychology

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Social Work

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Management Information Systems

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Sociology

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Marketing

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Sustainability

Degree Concentrations
Environmental Science
Business
Policy

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
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Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Best Research Universities in Missouri 2023

10 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2022

Colleges and Universities in Missouri

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Best Research Universities in Missouri 2022

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Find the Best Research Universities in Missouri for Your Area of Interest