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Best test-optional colleges in Missouri

Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.

Best test-optional colleges in Missouri42 schools

42 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Missouri.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions 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. 1

    Washington University in St. Louis

    St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 94% graduate
  2. 2

    Bolivar Technical College

    Bolivar, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 4% for graduation

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 92% graduate
  3. 3

    Saint Louis University

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #4 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 80% graduate
  4. 4

    University of Missouri-Columbia

    Columbia, MO · Public

    #6 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 75% graduate
  5. 5

    Truman State University

    Kirksville, MO · Public

    #7 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 69% graduate
  6. 6

    Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Rolla, MO · Public

    Top 7% for earnings

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 64% graduate
  7. 7

    Chamberlain University-Missouri

    St. Louis, MO · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 100% graduate
  8. 8

    William Jewell College

    Liberty, MO · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 68% graduate
  9. 9

    Rockhurst University

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 15% for graduation

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 75% graduate
  10. 10

    Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

    Cape Girardeau, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 11% for low debt

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 75% graduate
  11. 11

    Drury University

    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit

    #14 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 62% graduate
  12. 12

    Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 24% for earnings

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 66% graduate
  13. 13

    Evangel University

    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit

    #17 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 65% graduate
  14. 13

    University of Missouri-St. Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Public

    #17 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 57% graduate
  15. 15

    University of Missouri-Kansas City

    Kansas City, MO · Public

    #19 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 55% graduate
  16. 16

    University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for earnings

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 62% graduate
  17. 17

    Kansas City Art Institute

    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit

    #21 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 58% graduate
  18. 18

    St. Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton

    Fenton, MO · Private for-profit

    Top 11% for low debt

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 59% graduate
  19. 19

    Cottey College

    Nevada, MO · Private nonprofit

    #23 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 56% graduate
  20. 20

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Springfield, MO · Public

    #24 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 58% graduate
  21. 21

    Webster University

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #25 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 64% graduate
  22. 22

    Hannibal-LaGrange University

    Hannibal, MO · Private nonprofit

    #26 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 50% graduate
  23. 23

    Lindenwood University

    Saint Charles, MO · Private nonprofit

    #27 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 49% graduate
  24. 24

    University of Central Missouri

    Warrensburg, MO · Public

    #28 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 54% graduate
  25. 25

    Northwest Missouri State University

    Maryville, MO · Public

    #29 in Missouri

    • SAT or ACT not required
    • 54% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Washington University in St. Louis$21,786$17,500$86,18294%
Bolivar Technical College—$15,000—92%
Saint Louis University$24,398$25,000$70,78380%
University of Missouri-Columbia$20,268$20,500$63,40375%
Truman State University$12,780$21,000$56,28069%
Missouri University of Science and Technology$16,298$23,250$82,95764%
Chamberlain University-Missouri$30,716$20,919$92,405100%
William Jewell College$17,562$24,498$59,26868%
Rockhurst University$25,884$18,250$67,10275%
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences$19,390$11,500$60,91875%
Drury University$20,831$20,979$40,69462%
Maryville University of Saint Louis$22,066$22,000$62,10566%
Evangel University$18,669$24,736$46,57365%
University of Missouri-St. Louis$15,071$20,000$53,03757%
University of Missouri-Kansas City$13,310$18,750$59,63755%
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis$31,817$17,755$137,04762%
Kansas City Art Institute$27,650$27,000$37,03258%
St. Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton$24,395$11,750$32,21759%
Cottey College$13,805$19,043$35,42256%
Missouri State University-Springfield$17,613$21,992$49,82758%
Webster University$27,047$23,000$50,87664%
Hannibal-LaGrange University$22,814$18,599$42,64350%
Lindenwood University$19,638$26,000$53,27849%
University of Central Missouri$14,462$21,000$49,56054%
Northwest Missouri State University$16,244$21,500$47,88554%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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