Missouri S&T is one of the nation’s best colleges, according to Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges 2024.” Missouri S&T also made the publication’s lists for “Best Public Colleges,” “Best Colleges in the Midwest” and “Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates.” According to the site, S&T’s acceptance rate is 81%.

Money’s analysis does not rank institutions in a numerical order like many ranking agencies do; instead it provides a star rating, ranging from 2 stars (the lowest tier) to 5 stars (the highest tier). The majority of the 745 institutions selected as “best colleges” landed 3.5 or 4 stars. More than 1,500 colleges failed to meet Money’s standards to be ranked among the best and did not receive a star rating.

Missouri S&T received 4.5 stars. According to the website, colleges with 4.5 stars score well on several metrics.

Money’s ratings were calculated based on 25 factors in three categories:

• Quality. The six-year graduation rate and value-added graduation rate account for most of this measure. Money’s calculations specifically include the transfer student population at each college or university, as well as the graduation rate of Pell Grant recipients.
• Affordability. This category combines both short- and long-term affordability, including the net price of a degree and student loan default and repayment rates.
• Outcomes. This category is based primarily on earnings and employment data as reported in the federal College Scorecard. According to the scorecard site, the median annual earnings of individuals who received federal student aid and began at S&T 10 years ago is $82,957. The midpoint for four-year colleges is $53,617.

View Missouri S&T’s profile on Money.com.