Sept. 23, 2025
Contact: Christopher Ave, Christopher.Ave@Missouri.edu
Photo by Nicholas Andrusisian
When it comes to getting the best education, the University of Missouri remains among the nation’s top universities.
Based on data from the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings, Mizzou is ranked No. 4 in the nation as a Best Value among flagship universities. Among SEC flagships, Mizzou is No. 1.
Overall, Mizzou’s ranking has jumped more than 30 spots since 2020, reflecting the university’s commitment to student success and providing hands-on learning experiences. And both students and employers are taking notice. Applications this year were up by more than 40%, with enrollment this fall exceeding 31,100. Retention rates are significantly higher than the national average, and more than 95% of Mizzou students begin their careers or graduate school within six months of graduation.
“Mizzou provides a world-class education that transforms lives and communities across our state and nation," University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. “These impressive rankings reflect the dedication of our incredible faculty and staff, as well as our commitment to Mizzou's land-grant mission of impactful teaching, breakthrough research and meaningful engagement that makes a difference."
“Mizzou’s unwavering commitment to educate students to be leaders in their future careers is valued by students, parents and employers,” Matthew Martens, MU provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, said. “Through relevant coursework, innovative research and experiential leadership opportunities and other high-impact educational practices, our students recognize the countless benefits a degree from Mizzou provides.”
U.S. News and World Report isn’t the only ranking system noticing the return on investment Mizzou provides.
Time magazine recently ranked Mizzou No. 13 among the nation’s flagship institutions for preparing leaders. This year, Time expanded its “Best Colleges for Future Leaders” list by analyzing the résumés of 4,000 top U.S. leaders — double the number from last year — providing a broader view of how universities prepare students for leadership. Mizzou is also included on Money magazine’s list of best colleges.
