Online and On-Campus Colleges in MISSOURI

Known as Mizzou, the Columbia campus is the flagship location of the University of Missouri system. It was founded in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River. The school enrolls more than 30,000 students representing every state in the nation as well as 100 countries.

An extensive catalog of hundreds of degree programs is one reason Mizzou rises to the top among Missouri universities. It is one of only six public universities in the nation to have a law school, medical school and veterinary medicine college on the same campus. There are also dozens of online degree programs available for distance learners.

Beyond that, the University of Missouri-Columbia is notable for its affordable tuition and strong graduation rate.

Students seeking a technical education may want to look to the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Founded in 1870, Missouri S&T was one of the first technological institutes established west of the Mississippi River.

Nearly 100 degree programs are offered through the university's two colleges. They cover diverse fields such as business, humanities and behavioral sciences. However, Missouri S&T may be best known for its offerings in technical fields such as engineering and computer science.

The Missouri University of Science and Technology enrolls nearly 9,000 students who have the chance to participate in 18 design teams for projects such as a solar car, solar house and Mars rover. Among Missouri schools, the public institution is known for being a good investment. Its campus is in Rolla.

The flagship campus for Missouri State University enrolls more than 24,000 students in its many undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The school also offers a number of fully online degree programs. As one of the top colleges in Missouri, its classes are taught by full-time faculty who overwhelmingly have the most advanced degree available in their field.

MSU also is an affordable choice for higher education with nearly three-quarters of students receiving financial aid. On campus, those students can choose from hundreds of student organizations or intramural sports programs to enrich their educational experience. Students at Missouri State University-Springfield log more than 420,000 volunteer hours each year.

The Springfield campus was founded in 1905 and adopted the Missouri State University name 100 years later in 2005.

Truman State University has a rich history that began in 1867 when the institution opened as the North Missouri Normal School and Commercial College. It has since undergone many transformations and expansions to become the highly selective school it is today. In 1996, its name was changed to honor Harry S. Truman, the only U.S. president to hail from Missouri.

However, Truman State University has more to offer students than simply a historic campus and compelling legacy. Truman is home to numerous undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional studies programs. These include degrees in popular fields such as registered nursing and business administration.

Part of what makes Truman one of the best Missouri colleges is its affordable tuition and stellar graduation rate. It has its campus in Kirksville.

Saint Louis University also has the distinction of being one of the top schools in Missouri. Often called SLU, the university was founded in 1818. Not one is it one of the best universities in Missouri, but it's also the nation's oldest Catholic university.

Established in the Jesuit tradition, SLU enrolls nearly 13,000 students. Its 12 colleges and schools are joined by four degree-granting centers to offer nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. Saint Louis University features small class sizes, and 99 percent of tenure and tenure-track faculty have the highest degree available in their field.

As for cost, SLU says 98 percent of its first-time freshman receive financial aid. Also notable is the school's commitment to public service. Students, staff and faculty complete 1.6 million volunteer hours each year.

A flexible learning environment and affordable degrees help propel the University of Central Missouri to a spot on the list of best colleges in Missouri. The university is also one of the state's top online colleges, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees for distance learners.

Within its five colleges, UCM offers approximately 150 programs of study that range from short-term certificates to cooperative doctorates. Part of what makes the institution one of the best schools in Missouri is its strong placement rate. The university notes that more than 90 percent of graduates are employed within six month of earning their degree.

The University of Central Missouri was founded in 1871 and has its campus in Warrensburg. More than 12,000 students are enrolled, representing most states and more than 60 countries.

At Washington University in St. Louis, the school strives to create a community atmosphere in which diversity, excellence and leadership are fostered. The private school has a long history that has taken it from humble roots to become a renowned research institution.

Washington University was founded by a St. Louis merchant and his pastor. They were concerned about a lack of educational opportunities in the area and first offered evening classes in workers in 1854. Since that time, the school has expanded to offer programs covering everything from business to design to medicine.

Today, there are seven schools within Washington University in St. Louis. They enroll nearly 13,000 students in more than 300 areas of study. In addition to its main Danforth Campus, the university maintains five other learning locations.

Southeast Missouri State University has its main campus in Cape Girardeau and operates regional campuses and delivery sites in Kennett, Malden, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff. It is an affordable school that is also one of the best online colleges for Missouri.

Founded in 1873, SEMO offers hundreds of degree options that span the undergraduate and graduate levels. For those who can't travel to class on campus, there are numerous online courses available. Through its Southeast Online division, out-of-state students get access to the same tuition rates as state residents. That helps keep SEMO affordable and contributes to it being among the top colleges in Missouri.

With nearly 12,000 students, Southeast Missouri State University is a mid-sized institution which helps it facilitate more personalized learning.

The City of St. Louis is home to many of the best universities in Missouri, and that includes Webster University. Founded in 1915, the school is a Catholic institution established by the Sisters of Loretto. It was one of the first Catholic women's colleges west of the Mississippi River and continues to be a trendsetter today.

The accredited school is noteworthy for being one of the top online colleges in the state. The online programs at Webster University allows students the flexibility to study a variety of fields from the comfort of their home on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Both online degrees and on-campus programs include an emphasis on global learning. Students are taught in small classes and encouraged to put what they learn in the classroom to work in their lives immediately.

Northwest Missouri State University has instituted policies which make it one of the most affordable schools in the state. Every full-time student receives a laptop, and textbooks can be rented at a price equal to $6 per credit hour. As a result, Northwest is one of the top Missouri schools when it comes to cost.

The school is another institution with a strong distance learning program, and a solid catalog of online degree programs. Between its online and on-campus programs, there are more than 250 degree options available. Northwest Missouri State University notes all its classes are taught by professionals, not graduate students.

Founded in 1905, Northwest is a public institution enrolling more than 6,000 students. It has its campus in Maryville.