Missouri · Getting in
Easiest colleges to get into in Missouri
The short answer
The easiest four-year colleges to get into in Missouri are Missouri Western State University (open admission), Lincoln University (open admission) and Harris-Stowe State University (open admission), by the share of applicants admitted.
A high acceptance rate means the college admits most people who apply. Open-admission colleges admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. Each row also shows the average price after grants, so you can weigh the two.
The list (18 of 36)
Four-year colleges in Missouri with 500 or more undergraduates, open-admission colleges first, then the highest acceptance rate. The list shows 18 of the 36 colleges with an acceptance rate or open admission on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024).
- Missouri Western State University Open admission Saint Joseph, MO · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $16,379 a year in-state, about $26,249 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
- Lincoln University Open admission Jefferson City, MO · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $13,788 a year in-state, about $22,078 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
- Harris-Stowe State University Open admission Saint Louis, MO · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $11,182 a year in-state, about $15,814 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
- Cox College 100% admitted Springfield, MO Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Culver-Stockton College 99.1% admitted Canton, MO · Average price after grants: $22,277 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Missouri Southern State University 97% admitted Joplin, MO · Average price after grants: $10,836 a year in-state, about $19,236 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 96% admitted Kansas City, MO · Average price after grants: $21,440 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Maryville University of Saint Louis 95% admitted Saint Louis, MO · Average price after grants: $20,199 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Ozark Christian College 94% admitted Joplin, MO · Average price after grants: $18,732 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Missouri State University-Springfield 91% admitted Springfield, MO · Average price after grants: $17,270 a year in-state, about $26,902 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Avila University 88% admitted Kansas City, MO · Average price after grants: $16,675 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies 88% admitted Fayette, MO · Average price after grants: $16,532 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Webster University 86% admitted Saint Louis, MO · Average price after grants: $26,955 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Northwest Missouri State University 86% admitted Maryville, MO · Average price after grants: $16,120 a year in-state, about $23,101 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Truman State University 84% admitted Kirksville, MO · Average price after grants: $12,317 a year in-state, about $21,386 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Westminster College 79% admitted Fulton, MO · Average price after grants: $23,913 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- University of Missouri 79% admitted Columbia, MO · Average price after grants: $21,142 a year in-state, about $43,414 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Saint Louis University 75% admitted Saint Louis, MO · Average price after grants: $29,674 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the easiest colleges to get into in Missouri?
The easiest four-year colleges to get into in Missouri are Missouri Western State University (open admission), Lincoln University (open admission) and Harris-Stowe State University (open admission), by the share of applicants admitted.
How many of these colleges have open admission?
3 of the 18 colleges listed have open admission: they admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. The others admitted 75% to 100% of applicants.
How recent are these acceptance rates?
Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.
Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.