University Benchmarks

Ranking the Top 100 Academic Universities

UniversityBenchmarks.com ranks the universities that attract and produce the best academic students.

There are many 'University Rankings' on the internet. Most rankings rely heavily on subjective metrics like 'reputation' and 'selectivity'. UniversityBenchmarks is purely an academic ranking model. The rankings are based on the reported academic and financial metrics of the colleges. There are no subjective factors like 'reputation' that are used. The calculations are performed using normal statistical models. All universities are considered equal and there is no weighting of the ranking categories.

The university 2014-2015 dataset is comprised of over 2400 US Universities & Colleges and comes from multiple sources using the most favorable reported metrics for a university.

The universities are ranked against each other in each filtered set. It is an iterative process whereby lower ranking universities are removed and the set is re-ranked until the final set of 100 is reached.

Selecting 'Rank Top 10 Only' will show the Top 10 for each filter category ranked against each other.

The academic rankings of the universities within the major conferences (ACC, Big12, Big10, Pac12, SEC) are available.

The 2017 rankings will be available in August.

Notes:
  • It is possible for universities to be ranked higher/lower than one another depending on the filter set.
  • Conference averages are based on the top 8 schools in the conference.
  • Public Schools are highlighted
  • Clicking on the university's seal icon will take you to the university's website.

Ranking Fields

Rank - Overall rank based on the average of the ranking fields (Scores, Difficulty, Smartest, Brainpower, Faculty and Research).

Scores - SAT & ACT scores. The university's test scores are corrected for dropout rate when score level is Good, Excellent or Elite. This will slightly boost scores for highly competitive schools.

Difficulty - Academic rigor is estimated based on how difficult it is to get an "A" at the university. An estimated GPA at the university is calculated for the average US Student. University grade inflation, average GPA, and STEM density are factors.

Smartest - University that can field the highest scoring students based on the average US University size. Higher Smartest Rank = "Smartest for the Average University"

Brainpower - The average "smartest" rank using 5 reference populations (CalTech, MIT, Stanford, GaTech and Berkeley). Higher Brainpower Rank = "Higher Density of Smart Students". The university ranked higher can mathematically field 'X' number of smarter students than universities ranked below them.

Faculty - Ranking based on number of % of faculty with awards and academy membership.

Research - Ranking is achieved by iteratively ranking the average of 3 research metrics (r-pop, r-stem, r-other ). The lowest ranked college is then removed and the new set is re-ranked. The result is the schools with potentially the strongest research environments per student bubble up to the top regardless of size or research budget.

  • r-pop - Average research spending for student population
  • r-stem - STEM research spending
  • r-other - Other/Medical/Health research spending

Salary ROI - "Salary Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. Using the undergraduate average starting and mid-career salaries, the rank is based on a 20yr salary accumulation (with raises) minus the cost of a 4 year education at the university. Salaries are normalized across the country using the average COLA for the university's geo-economic region (7 regions total). The COLA effect is diminished by the level of the university. Elite, Excellent and Good universities have a greater distribution of graduates across the country and a diminishing COLA effect. The resultant value would be the graduate's spending potential over the 20yr period.

Overall ROI - "Overall Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. The average of Overall Rank and Salary ROI. This would be the "Best academic bang for the buck". Colleges that produce the best education, at the best price, with the best return will be ranked higher.

Color Key - ranks are colorized as follows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 50 100

The 2016 University Academic Rankings

State of Missouri University Academic Rankings

Search :
examples: Yale "Wake Forest" "Big Ten" TX NC

2016 Missouri University Academic Rankings

2016 Missouri University Academic Rankings
rank value image public university state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research r pop r stem r other salary ROI overall ROI scores value difficulty value smartest value brainpower value faculty value research value salary ROI value overall ROI value scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price scores valid
11.00
PrivateWashington University in St LouisMissouriUniversity Athletic Association111111111212226|930.81|802250|942188|9140|871.00|991663619|831.50|992226/1484/33Elite2763.40709740169475550066376True
23.17
PublicMissouri University of Science and TechnologyMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference324523334111885|792.04|491939|811730|72130|573.00|971833193|921.50|991885/1257/28Good93303.1041652021206270036603True
33.83
PublicUniversity of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern Conference682232222631745|732.65|342003|831943|81145|522.00|981389124|694.50|961745/1163/26AboveAverage18302.952362764277834410038624True
44.67
PrivateSaint Louis UniversityMissouriAtlantic 10 Conference5534655551051785|742.55|361941|811768|74300|05.00|951268530|637.00|931785/1190/27AboveAverage21292.9501237446784570054684True
55.50
PublicUniversity of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic Conference765744443741740|732.57|361885|791697|71183|393.67|961385349|696.00|941740/1160/26AboveAverage44542.95311045356934380033136True
65.67
PublicTruman State UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference438865555961800|752.51|371847|771610|67300|05.00|951270162|647.50|931800/1200/27AboveAverage22292.95059103384030026405True
77.00
PublicUniversity of Missouri-St LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference11776655551171650|692.61|351857|771709|71300|05.00|951255287|639.00|911650/1100/25AboveAverage79472.9501387431984420037168True
87.67
PrivateDrury UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference10410116555524141688|702.55|361640|681391|58300|05.00|951018877|5116.00|841688/1125/25AboveAverage75462.95039182973760036241True
98.26
PublicMissouri State University-SpringfieldMissouriMissouri Valley Conference141263655551291620|682.73|321876|781782|74300|05.00|951250156|6310.50|901620/1080/24Average12432.8001851732993980026506True
108.67
PrivateSt Louis College of PharmacyMissouriAmerican Midwest Conference2131796555537231915|802.75|311430|601512|63300|05.00|95699703|3523.50|771915/1277/29Excellent003.2506936683190041124True
1110.83
PrivateWilliam Jewell CollegeMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference8920176555514111733|722.68|331066|441202|50300|05.00|951236890|6212.50|881733/1155/26AboveAverage16362.9501043174140044830True
1211.00
PrivateWebster UniversityMissouriSt.Louis Intercollegiate Ath Conf111414166555516121650|692.80|301556|651229|51300|05.00|951156615|5814.00|861650/1100/25AboveAverage25382.9503459133104050041622True
1311.17
PrivateRockhurst UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference911211565555571720|722.70|331039|431250|52300|05.00|951399814|709.00|911720/1146/26AboveAverage19252.95022767264680047590True
1311.17
PrivateMaryville University of Saint LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference131016185555522171640|682.69|331439|601188|50200|335.00|951086170|5417.50|831640/1093/25Average19302.800281831134260044532True
1512.70
PublicNorthwest Missouri State UniversityMissouriMid - America Intercollegiate ...17161214655558101560|652.83|291607|671282|53300|05.00|951283549|6411.50|891560/1040/23Average12492.800549112294060022752True
1614.20
PublicSoutheast Missouri State UniversityMissouriOhio Valley Conference23239106555518151518|632.90|281719|721468|61300|05.00|951153786|5817.00|831518/1012/23Average21512.8001084812393870025178True
1715.80
PrivateFontbonne UniversityMissouriSt.Louis Intercollegiate Ath Conf151522216555526211585|662.80|30770|32944|39300|05.00|95941518|4721.50|791585/1057/24Average22572.80012136063700034754True
1816.33
PrivateCox CollegeMissouriNo Conference Affiliation172124256555536281560|652.86|29720|30868|36300|05.00|95710547|3627.00|731560/1040/23Average082.80074463319000True
1916.94
PrivateCollege of the OzarksMissouriMidlands Collegiate Athletic Conf191725226555515151556|652.85|29711|30899|37300|05.00|951198948|6017.00|831556/1037/23Average7452.800143303520027976True
2017.00
PrivateLindenwood UniversityMissouriMid - America Intercollegiate ...282811126555521191480|622.96|261640|681367|57300|05.00|951096805|5520.50|801480/987/22BelowAverage12532.800854136103970031460True
2117.93
PrivateEvangel UniversityMissouriHeart of America Athletic Conf...201926236555523221545|642.85|29690|29890|37300|05.00|951046533|5222.00|781545/1030/23Average10482.80017942123510032696True
2218.66
PublicUniversity of Central MissouriMissouriMid - America Intercollegiate ...333313136555513171400|583.02|251606|671320|55300|05.00|951247481|6217.50|831400/933/21BelowAverage26482.800983835414050025031True
2319.00
PrivateCalvary Bible College and Theological SeminaryMissouriNo Conference Affiliation161823326555528261567|652.85|29733|31733|31300|05.00|95810052|4125.50|751567/1044/23Average0542.800250643190017698True
2419.06
PrivateStephens CollegeMissouriAmerican Midwest Conference202226276555535311545|642.86|28690|29830|35300|05.00|95711876|3629.50|711545/1030/23Average7442.8006671953190042242True
2519.33
PrivateKansas City Art InstituteMissouriNo Conference Affiliation242429286555538341510|632.93|27620|26764|32300|05.00|95671812|3431.50|691510/1007/23Average0222.80065553190052258True
2619.42
PrivateWilliam Woods UniversityMissouriAmerican Midwest Conference222028266555525261538|642.85|29676|28850|35300|05.00|95972727|4925.50|751538/1025/23Average14492.800100610253560036140True
2720.33
PrivateCottey CollegeMissouriNo Conference Affiliation242429346555529301510|632.93|27620|26620|26300|05.00|95765844|3828.00|721510/1007/23Average002.80026903190028750True
2820.67
PrivateWestminster CollegeMissouriUpper Midwest Athletic Confere...26263130655553131485|622.93|27570|24751|31300|05.00|951425932|7115.50|851485/990/22BelowAverage23362.80095404580036160True
2921.40
PublicMissouri Southern State UniversityMissouriMid - America Intercollegiate ...333415196555520241400|583.04|241460|611072|45300|05.00|951111272|5624.50|761400/933/21BelowAverage22642.8005561523890020799True
3022.40
PrivateSouthwest Baptist UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference ...323119246555532331445|602.99|251229|51885|37300|05.00|95756284|3831.00|691445/963/22BelowAverage11502.80029527443190031140True
3122.80
PrivateMissouri Baptist UniversityMissouriMid - States Football Associat...353518206555533351375|573.07|231326|55964|40300|05.00|95741992|3732.00|681375/917/21BelowAverage10702.800409112313190034713True
3224.00
PrivateCulver-Stockton CollegeMissouriHeart of America Athletic Conf...262731306555534361485|622.95|26570|24751|31300|05.00|95737116|3733.00|671485/990/22BelowAverage5582.800957143190035932True
3325.20
PrivateAvila UniversityMissouriHeart of America Athletic Conf...292933296555517251475|612.96|26550|23755|31300|05.00|951154669|5825.00|751475/983/22BelowAverage17572.80014075004240037208True
3425.89
PrivateMidwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryMissouriNo Conference Affiliation313235366555527321450|603.00|25500|21500|21300|05.00|95829624|4130.50|701450/967/22BelowAverage0402.80035110183190012805True
3526.60
PrivateHannibal-LaGrange UniversityMissouriAmerican Midwest Conference303034336555531361465|612.98|26530|22725|30300|05.00|95758084|3833.00|671465/977/22BelowAverage4602.8001111563190030690True
3630.20
PrivateCentral Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesMissouriHeart of America Athletic Conf...373637356555519291355|563.08|23310|13532|22300|05.00|951138074|5727.50|731355/903/20BelowAverage22572.800118503980033700True
3730.60
PrivateSaint Louis Christian CollegeMissouriNo Conference Affiliation36373638655554191367|573.09|23333|14333|14300|05.00|951417166|7120.50|801367/911/21BelowAverage0842.80017904570017525True
3831.40
PrivateMissouri Valley CollegeMissouriHeart of America Athletic Conf...383838376555530381275|533.16|21150|6410|17300|05.00|95760444|3834.00|661275/850/19BelowAverage17722.8001683123190030100True

Common Questions...

What are the best colleges in Missouri?

1. Washington University in St Louis

2. Missouri University of Science and Technology

3. University of Missouri-Columbia

4. Saint Louis University

5. University of Missouri-Kansas City

6. Truman State University

7. University of Missouri-St Louis

2016 Top 10 Missouri University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Missouri University Academic Rankings
rank value public name state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price
11.00PrivateWashington University in St LouisMissouriUniversity Athletic Association111111212226/1484/33Elite2763.40709740169475550066376
23.17PublicMissouri University of Science and TechnologyMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference324523111885/1257/28Good93303.1041652021206270036603
33.83PublicUniversity of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern Conference682232331745/1163/26AboveAverage18302.952362764277834410038624
44.50PrivateSaint Louis UniversityMissouriAtlantic 10 Conference553455651785/1190/27AboveAverage21292.9501237446784570054684
55.50PublicTruman State UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference438855551800/1200/27AboveAverage22292.95059103384030026405
55.50PublicUniversity of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic Conference765744441740/1160/26AboveAverage44542.95311045356934380033136
76.50PublicUniversity of Missouri-St LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference977655771650/1100/25AboveAverage79472.9501387431984420037168
86.82PublicMissouri State University-SpringfieldMissouriMissouri Valley Conference1096355881620/1080/24Average12432.8001851732993980026506
96.83PrivateSt Louis College of PharmacyMissouriAmerican Midwest Conference2101095510101915/1277/29Excellent003.2506936683190041124
96.83PrivateDrury UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference8491055991688/1125/25AboveAverage75462.95039182973760036241