Sept. 24, 2024
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
The University of Missouri is No. 4 among all flagship universities in the country when it comes to getting the best education for the money.
In this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings, Mizzou’s rank as Best Value among flagship universities increased from No. 7 to No. 4, a measurement that considers a university’s cost and the quality of education. Mizzou’s Best Value rank among flagship universities is No. 1 among SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and PAC-12 institutions. MU’s score increased 24 spots from last year among all universities included in the category. Across the board, Mizzou’s ranking improved in 16 out of 18 evaluated areas — including retention and graduation rates.
“The university’s ascent is undeniable,” said University of Missouri President Mun Choi. “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.”
Data from the report also reflects recent investments Mizzou has made in faculty and students, including increases in the number of full-time faculty. That’s led to a decrease in the student-to-faculty ratio, meaning Tigers are seeing smaller class sizes and having more interaction with world-class professors.
And students are noticing. This fall, after receiving the largest number of applicants in university history, Mizzou welcomed nearly 6,000 freshmen to campus, an increase of 16% over last year.
“More and more students from across the state and country are recognizing not only the value but the power of a Mizzou education,” said Matthew Martens, MU provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Students can see we are committed to providing hands-on learning experiences and leadership opportunities alongside relevant, foundational knowledge.”
More Tiger pride
U.S. News and World Report is one of numerous college ranking systems used across the country aimed to gauge a university’s success.
Time magazine recently published a study that shows Mizzou at the No. 10 spot among all flagship universities in terms of preparing students to become leaders. That ranking system is based on an analysis of 2,000 top U.S. leaders and where they earned their degrees.
Money magazine also published a list naming Mizzou as one of America’s “Best Colleges” based on graduation rates, cost, financial aid, alumni salaries and more. The Wall Street Journal cites Mizzou as one of the best universities for impact on graduate salaries compared to the cost of attending. And Washington Monthly recently ranked Mizzou as the No. 18 best university among all flagships.
“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,” said Jim Spain, Mizzou’s vice provost for undergraduate studies. “Our students aren’t only taking advantage of the opportunities offered to them at Mizzou, they’re leveraging those experiences after college — and they’re very successful in doing so.”
