Best colleges in the St. Louis area
Colleges within 30 miles of St. Louis, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the St. Louis area11 schools
11 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 30 miles of the center of St. Louis (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- 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
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Missouri
- Net price $21,786 a year
- 94% graduate
- 2
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit#4 in Missouri
- Net price $24,398 a year
- 80% graduate
- 3
Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit#5 in Missouri
- Net price $18,795 a year
- 53% graduate
- 4
Chamberlain University-Missouri
St. Louis, MO · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Net price $30,716 a year
- 100% graduate
- 5
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofitTop 24% for earnings
- Net price $22,066 a year
- 66% graduate
- 6
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Public#17 in Missouri
- Net price $15,071 a year
- 57% graduate
- 7
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofitTop 1% for earnings
- Net price $31,817 a year
- 62% graduate
- 8
St. Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton
Fenton, MO · Private for-profitTop 11% for low debt
- Net price $24,395 a year
- 59% graduate
- 9
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL · Public#27 in Illinois
- Net price $14,889 a year
- 57% graduate
- 10
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit#25 in Missouri
- Net price $27,047 a year
- 64% graduate
- 11
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO · Private nonprofit#27 in Missouri
- Net price $19,638 a year
- 49% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University in St. Louis | $21,786 | $17,500 | $86,182 | 94% |
| Saint Louis University | $24,398 | $25,000 | $70,783 | 80% |
| Ranken Technical College | $18,795 | $12,000 | $55,955 | 53% |
| Chamberlain University-Missouri | $30,716 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | $22,066 | $22,000 | $62,105 | 66% |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | $15,071 | $20,000 | $53,037 | 57% |
| University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis | $31,817 | $17,755 | $137,047 | 62% |
| St. Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton | $24,395 | $11,750 | $32,217 | 59% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | $14,889 | $20,500 | $56,346 | 57% |
| Webster University | $27,047 | $23,000 | $50,876 | 64% |
| Lindenwood University | $19,638 | $26,000 | $53,278 | 49% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.