U.S. News and World Report ranks Northwest among top schools in Midwest

Northwest Missouri State University is included on U.S. News and World Report’s list of “2024 Best Colleges,” which ranks the institution among the top 25 public regional universities in the Midwest.

Northwest came in at No. 22 on the list of public regional universities in the Midwest, which is an improvement of 13 spots from No. 35 last year. The ranking places Northwest third among public schools in Missouri, trailing only Truman State University and the University of Central Missouri.

Among all regional universities in the Midwest, U.S. News ranks Northwest at No. 76, up 28 spots from No. 104 in 2023.

Additionally, Northwest ranks No. 33 among regional universities in the Midwest and second among Missouri public institutions on U.S. News’s list of “Best Colleges for Veterans,” a new ranking this year.

“These recognitions are a testament to Northwest Missouri State University’s commitment to offering a quality collegiate and academic experience for all of our students, whether they study with us in the classroom or at a distance,” University President Dr. Lance Tatum said. “Serving students and preparing them to be globally competitive is the most important thing we do, and this recognition is a reflection of the student-centered focus exhibited every day by our dedicated faculty and staff.”

Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum greeted students on the first day of the fall semester in August. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

U.S. News evaluated nearly 1,500 U.S. four-year bachelor's degree-granting institutions on measures that reflect academic quality and graduate outcomes, including first-year retention rates, graduation rates, financial resources and results of peer assessment surveys. Each indicator is assigned a weight and institutions are ranked based on their overall scores.

The publication defines regional universities as those that offer a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and some master's degree programs but few, if any, doctoral programs. The Midwest region includes all public and private universities in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin as well as Missouri.

Northwest students participate in a creative writing class this fall. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

About Northwest Missouri State University

With an enrollment of about 9,600 students this fall, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location and through Northwest Online.

At Northwest, profession-based learning experiences help graduates get a jump-start on their careers in nearly every area of study. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

The Northwest campus was designated as the Missouri Arboretum in 1993. (Photo by Chandu Ravi Krishna/Northwest Missouri State University)

Founded in 1905, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the 2021 Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 80 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 77 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, 97 percent of Northwest bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. 

As part of its retention strategy focusing on affordability, Northwest includes textbooks and a laptop in its tuition and saves students an estimated $6,800 over four years. Northwest also integrates students into University operations through its internationally benchmarked student employment program, which offers about 1,200 opportunities for students to build professional skills and their résumés on the campus. Additionally, its Northwest Promise program covers 100 percent of tuition and fees for eligible students.

Profession-based learning experiences help graduates get a jump-start on their careers in nearly every area of study at Northwest, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise, attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for natural disasters.

In addition to nationally competitive programs in both athletics and academics, the University consistently ranks high among its peers for safety, and its status as the Missouri Arboretum makes it one of the most beautiful campuses in the U.S.

To view U.S. News’s “2024 Best Colleges,” visit www.usnews.com/education. To learn more about Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.