Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Missouri
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Missouri6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Missouri.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit#4 in Missouri
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 80% graduate
- 2
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO · Public#6 in Missouri
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 75% graduate
- 3
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO · Public#19 in Missouri
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 55% graduate
- 4
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO · Public#24 in Missouri
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 58% graduate
- 5
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO · Private nonprofit#27 in Missouri
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 49% graduate
- 6
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO · Public#34 in Missouri
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 58% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis University | $24,398 | $25,000 | $70,783 | 80% |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | $20,268 | $20,500 | $63,403 | 75% |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | $13,310 | $18,750 | $59,637 | 55% |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | $17,613 | $21,992 | $49,827 | 58% |
| Lindenwood University | $19,638 | $26,000 | $53,278 | 49% |
| Southeast Missouri State University | $15,882 | $21,500 | $44,030 | 58% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4