NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report in its “2025 Best Colleges” list, marking the second consecutive year the institution is ranked among the top 25 public regional universities in the Midwest. The university improved its position to No. 20 from No. 22 last year.

In Missouri, Northwest ranks second among public schools, only behind Truman State University, and is noted as the top moderately selective institution in the state.

Additionally, Northwest holds the No. 31 spot among regional universities in the Midwest and is third among Missouri public institutions on U.S. News’s “Best Colleges for Veterans” list, a ranking introduced last year.

U.S. News evaluated nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor's degree-granting institutions based on academic quality and graduate outcomes, including first-year retention rates, graduation rates, financial resources, and peer assessment surveys. Each indicator was assigned a weight to determine overall scores.

The publication defines regional universities as those offering a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and some master's degree programs but few doctoral programs. The Midwest region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin as well as Missouri.

Northwest has an enrollment of more than 9,000 students and offers various undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus. The university emphasizes profession-based learning to equip students with necessary tools for success.

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts high retention rates and graduation rates in the 95th percentile among peers. Results from the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory indicate that Northwest students are more satisfied compared to national peers; 78 percent would repeat their university experience versus 75 percent nationally.

The university also reports high career placement rates with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing education within six months post-graduation.

Northwest provides numerous opportunities for students to gain professional experience through campus activities across various study areas including integrated digital marketing communications agency initiatives. It also hosts an annual mass casualty training exercise for emergency responders nationwide as part of its emergency and disaster management program.

With over 150 student organizations available and significant savings in tuition fees estimated at $6,800 over four years due to textbook rental services provided by Northwest's internationally benchmarked student employment program offering around 1,200 positions for skill-building opportunities.

For further details about Northwest Missouri State University visit their official website.