University of Missouri

Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, Mizzou has a reputation of excellence in teaching and research, and is the flagship campus of the four-campus University of Missouri System.

At Mizzou, its hard to tell where campus ends and Columbia begins. Just steps from MU, local entrepreneurs run student-friendly shops, restaurants, galleries and music venues. On a nice day you can hop on a bike trail on campus and head off for an adventure in nature. No wonder Forbes calls Columbia a great college town.