How many colleges are in Missouri?

Missouri has the University of Missouri System with 4 universities, Missouri State University, 12-14 independent community colleges. Total enrollment: 342,185 students (2023-24).

What is the Missouri A+ Scholarship?

Missouri A+ Scholarship provides FREE community college tuition (last-dollar). Requirements: A+ high school graduate, 2.5 GPA, 50+ tutoring hours, 95%+ attendance, proficient Algebra I, full-time enrollment, FAFSA. Up to $225/credit hour (2025-26).

How competitive is Mizzou admission?

Mizzou has 77.02% acceptance rate. Median SAT 1,230, ACT 26. Enrollment: 31,000+ students. Tuition: $14,837 in-state, $36,056 out-of-state.

Missouri Colleges and Universities

Complete Guide to Higher Education in Missouri - Mizzou, UM System, A+ Scholarship & Community Colleges

31,000+

Mizzou Students

Flagship, 77% acceptance

FREE

A+ Scholarship

Community college tuition

14,732

UMKC Students

Record freshman class

7,000+

Missouri S&T

Top engineering school

🎓 University of Missouri (Mizzou, Flagship)

University of Missouri - Columbia (Mizzou)

Flagship Founded 1839

Total Enrollment: 31,000+ students (24,449 undergraduates Fall 2024)

Acceptance Rate: 77.02% (16,690 admitted / 21,669 applications)

Tuition (2024-25): $14,837 in-state, $36,056 out-of-state

Total Cost: $31,478 in-state, $52,688 out-of-state (includes housing, meals, books)

Test Scores: SAT 1,230 median (620 EBRW, 610 Math), ACT 26 median (23-29 range)

Campus: Columbia, MO - 1,262 acres

Setting: City

🏫 University of Missouri System (4 Universities)

System Overview: UM System includes 4 universities serving students across Missouri

Missouri S&T (Rolla)

Engineering

Total Enrollment: 7,000+ students (5,552 undergraduates Fall 2024)

On-Campus: 6,450 students (Fall 2024)

College of Engineering & Computing: 4,988 students (Fall 2024)

New Students (2024): 276 transfer students, 502 new graduate students

Growth: All three colleges recorded enrollment increases Fall 2024

Focus: Science, Technology, Engineering (known for engineering programs)

UMKC (Kansas City)

Record Enrollment

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 14,732 students

Undergraduates: 10,166 (Fall 2024)

Graduate Students: 4,566 (Fall 2024)

Freshman Class: 1,350+ students (record-breaking, 2nd year in a row)

Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1

Gender: 41% male, 59% female

Status: Largest university in Kansas City metro area

🏢 Missouri State University (Springfield)

Missouri State University - Springfield

26,000+ Students

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 26,000+ students

Undergraduates (Fall 2023): 19,259

Acceptance Rate: 88.7% (2024)

Student Breakdown (Fall 2024):

Undergraduate freshmen: 2,841 students
Undergraduate upperclassmen: 9,303 students
Transfer students: 1,263 students
Graduate students: 4,159 students

💰 A+ Scholarship Program - FREE Community College

Missouri A+ Scholarship

Last-Dollar

Coverage: FREE tuition and general fees at Missouri community colleges after federal aid applied

Type: Merit-based scholarship (last-dollar - covers remaining balance after federal aid)

High School Requirements:

Graduate from A+ designated high school
2.5 GPA or higher
Complete 50+ hours unpaid tutoring/mentoring
Maintain 95%+ attendance record
Score proficient/advanced on Algebra I end-of-course exam

College Requirements:

Enroll full-time at participating Missouri community college
Submit FAFSA annually
Must not have associate or bachelor's degree already

Reimbursement Rates:

2024-2025: $215 per credit hour or $5.70 per clock hour (max)
2025-2026: $225 per credit hour or $6.00 per clock hour (max)

Eligible Institutions: Public community colleges, vocational/technical schools, certain private two-year vocational/technical schools

🏫 Missouri Community Colleges

System Overview: 12-14 independent community colleges, each governed by local board of trustees

Featured Community College:

Metropolitan Community College

Fall 2024 Enrollment: 11,921 students (credit classes)

2024-25 Academic Year: 18,817 unduplicated credit students

Enrollment Trends: Community college enrollment was down ~30% between 2012-2023 in Missouri (and Kansas), though some increases occurred in 2024 academic year

Total Missouri Higher Education:

2023-2024 Academic Year: 342,185 students enrolled across all Missouri colleges and universities

💲 Missouri Tuition Comparison

Institution	In-State	Out-of-State
A+ Community Colleges	FREE (after federal aid)
Mizzou (Tuition/Fees)	$14,837	$36,056
Mizzou (Total Cost)	$31,478	$52,688
Mizzou Per Credit Hour	$569	$1,453
Mizzou Graduate	$13,681	$32,581

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Missouri has the University of Missouri System with 4 universities (Mizzou Columbia 31,000+ students, UMKC 14,732, Missouri S&T 7,000+, UM-St. Louis), Missouri State University (26,000+ students), 12-14 independent community colleges, plus numerous private colleges and universities. Total enrollment across Missouri higher education: 342,185 students (2023-24).

Missouri A+ Scholarship provides FREE community college tuition (last-dollar scholarship covering remaining costs after federal aid). Requirements: graduate from A+ high school with 2.5 GPA, 50+ hours tutoring, 95%+ attendance, proficient Algebra I score, enroll full-time at Missouri community college, submit FAFSA. Reimbursement: up to $225/credit hour (2025-26).

University of Missouri (Mizzou) has 77.02% acceptance rate (16,690 admitted / 21,669 applications). Median test scores: SAT 1,230 (620 EBRW, 610 Math), ACT 26 (23-29 range). Enrollment: 31,000+ students (24,449 undergraduates Fall 2024). Tuition: $14,837 in-state, $36,056 out-of-state. Founded 1839.

Missouri S&T (Missouri University of Science & Technology) in Rolla is known for engineering and technology programs. Enrollment: 7,000+ students (5,552 undergraduates Fall 2024). College of Engineering & Computing: 4,988 students. All three colleges recorded enrollment growth Fall 2024. Part of UM System.

Yes, UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City) is experiencing record growth. Fall 2024 enrollment: 14,732 students (10,166 undergraduates, 4,566 graduate). Record-breaking freshman class: 1,350+ students (second consecutive year breaking enrollment record). UMKC is largest university in Kansas City metro area.

Missouri State University in Springfield enrolls 26,000+ students with 88.7% acceptance rate. Enrollment breakdown: 2,841 freshmen, 9,303 upperclassmen, 1,263 transfer students, 4,159 graduate students (Fall 2024). Contact MSU directly for current tuition rates.

Yes, through Missouri A+ Scholarship. Eligible A+ high school graduates (2.5 GPA, 50+ tutoring hours, 95%+ attendance, proficient Algebra I) receive FREE community college tuition after federal aid applied. Reimbursement up to $225/credit hour (2025-26). Must enroll full-time at participating Missouri community college and submit FAFSA.