College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Every accredited U.S. college

Colleges

Every accredited four-year college, rated on Academic Excellence and Value (what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and student debt), all from federal data.

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Compass Score sorts by outcomes, students and cost together. The other sorts order every college by a different measure.
Ratings
Compass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data: outcomes (40%), entering students (40%), cost (15%) and teaching (5%). Choose the lowest grade to show.
ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
Academic ExcellenceAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.
Only Compass Recommended colleges: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score.
Only Honor Roll colleges: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score.
Only the eight Ivy League universities.
Location1
Distance (miles)
A broad region of the country, as the guide groups the states. Territories are listed separately.
School
Type of college, as college guides group them (from the federal Carnegie Classification): national universities offer a full range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs and do research; liberal arts colleges focus on undergraduates in the arts and sciences; regional universities mostly offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees; regional colleges mostly offer bachelor’s degrees in many fields; specialized schools focus on one field, such as health, art or business.
Public or privatePublic: run by a state or local government. Private: nonprofit or for-profit.
Total enrollment: small is under 2,000 students, medium 2,000 to 9,999, large 10,000 to 24,999, and very large 25,000 or more.
Net price: what a typical student pays per year after grants and scholarships, from the federal College Scorecard.
Coed: men and women together. Single-sex: all-male or all-female.
Campus life
College sports level from federal data: NCAA Division I (the biggest programs), Division II, Division III, or NAIA.
Where the campus is, from federal data: in a city, a suburb, a town, or a rural area.
The college offers Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, on campus or with a nearby college (federal data).
The college offers study abroad (federal data).
Admissions and outcomes
How many applicants are admitted (federal data). Most: 65% or more. Selective: 25% to 64%. Highly selective: under 25%.
Your SAT or ACT, to sort colleges Target, Likely and Reach. Signed in, it is kept on your account (private to you); otherwise only in this browser.
Reach, Target or LikelyA rough guide from admitted students' scores and admission rates, not a prediction. Target: your score is in the college's middle range. Likely: above it, or the college admits most applicants. Reach: below it, or the college admits fewer than 1 in 5.
Small classes: 12 or fewer students per faculty member (federal data).
Strong outcomes: 75% or more of students graduate (federal data).
Major
Colleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.
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RecommendedOnly Compass Recommended colleges: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score.Honor RollOnly Honor Roll colleges: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score.ValueOnly colleges with a Value score of 85 or higher (grade A), from federal data.AcademicsOnly schools with an Academic Excellence grade of A or better (the top 10% of rated colleges), from federal data.Ivy LeagueOnly the eight Ivy League universities.Clear
Division I sportsCollege sports level from federal data: NCAA Division I (the biggest programs), Division II, Division III, or NAIA.ROTCThe college offers Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, on campus or with a nearby college (federal data).Study abroadThe college offers study abroad (federal data).NursingColleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.EngineeringColleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.Under $20kNet price under $20,000 a year: what a typical student pays after grants and scholarships (federal data).Small classesSmall classes: 12 or fewer students per faculty member (federal data).
State: MissouriClear all

59 schools · Sorted by Compass Score

  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 2%

    Washington University in St. Louis

    #1 in Missouri
    St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 16,500 students

    $21,786 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 10%

    College of the Ozarks

    #2 in Missouri
    Point Lookout, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,427 students

    $6,100 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 11%

    Bolivar Technical College

    Top 4% for graduation
    Bolivar, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 144 students

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 13%

    Saint Louis University

    #4 in Missouri
    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 17,202 students

    $24,398 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 13%

    Ranken Technical College

    #5 in Missouri
    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,696 students

    $18,795 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 16%

    University of Missouri-Columbia

    #6 in Missouri
    Columbia, MO · Public · 4-year · 31,013 students

    $20,268 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 17%

    Truman State University

    #7 in Missouri
    Kirksville, MO · Public · 4-year · 3,636 students

    $12,780 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 19%

    Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Top 7% for earnings
    Rolla, MO · Public · 4-year · 7,156 students

    $16,298 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 19%

    Chamberlain University-Missouri

    Top 1% for graduation
    St. Louis, MO · Private for-profit · 4-year · 328 students

    $30,716 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 20%

    Cox College

    Top 1% for graduation
    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 795 students

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 22%

    William Jewell College

    #11 in Missouri
    Liberty, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 886 students

    $17,562 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 23%

    Rockhurst University

    Top 15% for graduation
    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,496 students

    $25,884 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 25%

    Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences

    Top 11% for low debt
    Cape Girardeau, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 147 students

    $19,390 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 28%

    Drury University

    #14 in Missouri
    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,596 students

    $20,831 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 30%

    Ozarks Technical Community College

    Top 7% for low net price
    Springfield, MO · Public · 4-year · 11,036 students

    $6,936 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 32%

    Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Top 24% for earnings
    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 9,883 students

    $22,066 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 35%

    University of Missouri-St. Louis

    #17 in Missouri
    Saint Louis, MO · Public · 4-year · 14,800 students

    $15,071 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 35%

    Evangel University

    #17 in Missouri
    Springfield, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,157 students

    $18,669 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 35%

    University of Missouri-Kansas City

    #19 in Missouri
    Kansas City, MO · Public · 4-year · 15,277 students

    $13,310 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 39%

    University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis

    Top 1% for earnings
    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 631 students

    $31,817 a year after aid, on average

    ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 45%

    Kansas City Art Institute

    #21 in Missouri
    Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 789 students

    $27,650 a year after aid, on average

    ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 48%

    St. Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton

    Top 11% for low debt
    Fenton, MO · Private for-profit · 4-year · 430 students

    $24,395 a year after aid, on average

    ValueFairAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 50%

    Cottey College

    #23 in Missouri
    Nevada, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 266 students

    $13,805 a year after aid, on average

    All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    #24 in Missouri
    Springfield, MO · Public · 4-year · 23,418 students

    $17,613 a year after aid, on average

    ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood

    Webster University

    #25 in Missouri
    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 7,606 students

    $27,047 a year after aid, on average

    ValueFairAcademicsStrong

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