Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Missouri by Acceptance Rate 2026
College of the Ozarks leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 12%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Missouri colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $6,100
- Top earnings 10y
- $86,182
- Public / Private
- 5 / 20
College of the Ozarks
A+- Acceptance
- 12%
- Net price
- $6,100
- Earnings 10y
- $41,592
- Acceptance
- 12%
Washington University in St Louis
B- Acceptance
- 12.1%
- Net price
- $21,786
- Earnings 10y
- $86,182
- Acceptance
- 12.1%
Conception Seminary College
D- Acceptance
- 31.8%
- Net price
- $24,558
- Earnings 10y
- $50,430
- Acceptance
- 31.8%
William Jewell College
B- Acceptance
- 38.4%
- Net price
- $17,562
- Earnings 10y
- $59,268
- Acceptance
- 38.4%
Evangel University-College of Online Learning
D- Acceptance
- 49.2%
- Net price
- $22,503
- Earnings 10y
- $46,573
- Acceptance
- 49.2%
Kansas City Art Institute
D- Acceptance
- 54.8%
- Net price
- $27,650
- Earnings 10y
- $37,032
- Acceptance
- 54.8%
Lindenwood University
C- Acceptance
- 56.8%
- Net price
- $19,638
- Earnings 10y
- $53,278
- Acceptance
- 56.8%
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
D- Acceptance
- 56.9%
- Net price
- $22,766
- Earnings 10y
- $48,991
- Acceptance
- 56.9%
Drury University
D- Acceptance
- 57.6%
- Net price
- $20,831
- Earnings 10y
- $40,694
- Acceptance
- 57.6%
University of Missouri-St Louis
B- Acceptance
- 62.7%
- Net price
- $15,071
- Earnings 10y
- $53,037
- Acceptance
- 62.7%
University of Central Missouri
B- Acceptance
- 63.8%
- Net price
- $14,462
- Earnings 10y
- $49,560
- Acceptance
- 63.8%
Logan University
C- Acceptance
- 64.3%
- Net price
- $20,218
- Earnings 10y
- $55,838
- Acceptance
- 64.3%
Southwest Baptist University
D- Acceptance
- 68.4%
- Net price
- $21,677
- Earnings 10y
- $43,112
- Acceptance
- 68.4%
Missouri Baptist University
D- Acceptance
- 68.6%
- Net price
- $27,006
- Earnings 10y
- $46,660
- Acceptance
- 68.6%
Cottey College
C- Acceptance
- 69.2%
- Net price
- $13,805
- Earnings 10y
- $35,422
- Acceptance
- 69.2%
Missouri Valley College
C- Acceptance
- 69.2%
- Net price
- $18,086
- Earnings 10y
- $43,221
- Acceptance
- 69.2%
Rockhurst University
C- Acceptance
- 69.6%
- Net price
- $25,884
- Earnings 10y
- $67,102
- Acceptance
- 69.6%
William Woods University
D- Acceptance
- 71%
- Net price
- $26,569
- Earnings 10y
- $42,401
- Acceptance
- 71%
Evangel University
C- Acceptance
- 71.6%
- Net price
- $18,669
- Earnings 10y
- $46,573
- Acceptance
- 71.6%
Calvary University
C- Acceptance
- 71.7%
- Net price
- $16,334
- Earnings 10y
- $45,421
- Acceptance
- 71.7%
University of Missouri-Kansas City
A- Acceptance
- 72.2%
- Net price
- $13,310
- Earnings 10y
- $59,637
- Acceptance
- 72.2%
Missouri University of Science and Technology
A- Acceptance
- 72.6%
- Net price
- $16,298
- Earnings 10y
- $82,957
- Acceptance
- 72.6%
Hannibal-LaGrange University
D- Acceptance
- 72.6%
- Net price
- $22,814
- Earnings 10y
- $42,643
- Acceptance
- 72.6%
Southeast Missouri State University
C- Acceptance
- 73.5%
- Net price
- $15,882
- Earnings 10y
- $44,030
- Acceptance
- 73.5%
Evangel University-James River Assembly of God Church
D- Acceptance
- 74.1%
- Net price
- $21,548
- Earnings 10y
- $46,573
- Acceptance
- 74.1%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Missouri colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.06 (5 public, 20 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 12%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Missouri colleges are in this list?
42 Missouri colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.