
By Elizabeth LaScala, PhD
Founded in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River, the University of Missouri-Columbia, aka ‘Mizzou’, has many academic, research and social opportunities that college-bound students hope to find at a large flagship state university.
Unlike many flagships, admission to Mizzou is not exceptionally selective. Seventy-seven percent of applicants to the Class of 2027 were accepted. Admission is test optional and all applicants are reviewed holistically.
Mizzou admits until the class is full. There is no wait list. However, admission to various programs is a “pre-admission” status, in programs such as business, engineering and journalism. Students must meet academic requirements to be formally admitted to the majors in these programs after their freshman year. Mizzou also makes it relatively easy to change your residency status to in-state. This is a good idea if you want to attend a graduate or professional school in the state after you receive your bachelor’s degree.
Here is a sampling of some special academic opportunities at Mizzou.
- Mizzou is home to the first journalism school in the world. Journalism education at Mizzou emphasizes the Missouri Method where students ‘learn by doing’ on real-world radio, television and online media channels. It is also relatively easy to carry a second major or two or three minors in the program.
- Mizzou was the first public university to have its own honors college. There are over 3,000 students in the honors college.
- The Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business has some impressive undergraduate programs including the Trulaske Edge and the Cornell Leadership Program that are tough to find at a public university. The Trulaske Edge is a three-course career development program for credit that starts with career exploration and professional development, then moves on to a team credit and an internship. The Cornell Leadership program provides high achievers with instruction in leadership and opportunities to visit business leaders at work.
- Unique programs in the engineering school include biological engineering, biomedical engineering and there are multiple options around computing and data science; there is also an engineering technology program with specialties in manufacturing and mechatronics.
- Mizzou is one of only 32 US universities that has a veterinary school. In addition, it offers a unique undergraduate degree in veterinary technology. There is even an opportunity for high achievers to apply advanced credits in animal sciences towards the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Mizzou is very much in the heart of the Midwest. Located halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is a true college town versus a university in the heart of a large city. Mizzou and its medical center are the largest employers. Mizzou houses less than 30 percent of the undergraduate student body. So, students who want to be close to campus after freshman year are quickly enticed to live downtown. Nationally known as the “Home of Homecoming”, town and gown plan far ahead and go all out for Homecoming Week. Greek life is fairly popular too, attracting just under a quarter of the men and about 30 percent of the women. A school well invested in homecoming and Greek life often builds much of its social life around sports. Mizzou has had recent successes in football, including a win over traditional powerhouse Ohio State in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic.
Mizzou shares many strengths with more selective flagship state universities across the country. However, few can combine them with the festive atmosphere at America’s “Home of Homecoming” coupled with many unique and hands on learning opportunities.
Public: 23,629 undergraduates, 7,359 graduate students
77% acceptance rate;
mid-SAT: RW 580-670, M 570-660; mid-ACT: 23-29;
1% International, 18% Diversity, 20% Out of State
Student-Faculty: 18 to 1
Image Credit
Title: Lowry Mall and Memorial Tower, University of Missouri
Author: VoyagerMU
License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Source: File:Lowry_Mall_and_Memorial_Tower,_University_of_Missouri_-_panoramio.jpg