3 Best Universities in Columbia, MO [2026 Rankings]

Top 3 universities in Columbia ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 3.98M citations received by 126K academic publications made by 3 universities from Columbia, the popularity of 607 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. University of Missouri - Columbia

#2 in Missouri

#67 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

2. Columbia College - Missouri

#19 in Missouri

#986 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $21,530
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $15,882

3. Stephens College

#22 in Missouri

#1083 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Net Price: $23,194
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $23,341

Universities near Columbia

Distance, km 📏 km	University	Country rank 🏆	City
35	Westminster College - Missouri	1383	Fulton, Missouri
35	William Woods University	1568	Fulton, Missouri
38	Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies	1403	Fayette, Missouri
45	Lincoln University - Missouri	985	Jefferson, Missouri
50	Central Christian College of the Bible	2107	Moberly, Missouri
76	Missouri Valley College	1748	Marshall, Missouri
119	Hannibal-LaGrange University	1802	Hannibal, Missouri
121	Missouri University of Science and Technology	210	Rolla, Missouri
123	University of Central Missouri	585	Warrensburg, Missouri
137	Quincy University	1377	Quincy, Illinois