Rankings and Recognition

A Reputation for Learning Excellence

Truman has a longstanding reputation for providing an exceptionally high-quality education paired with an outstanding return on investment.  As a result, Truman consistently appears in the most respected annual listings of the nation’s best colleges and universities.

US News and World Report ranks Truman Number One Public University in Midwest Region
No. 1 public school in the Midwest region for 26 years running. More»
—U.S. News & World Report
“Best Colleges” (2023)
Fiske - Best Buy School
One of the top 10 public schools named as a “Best Buy” offering outstanding educational value. More»
Fiske Guide to Colleges (2023)
#7 Best master's university in the nation
No. 7 best master’s university in the nation.  More»
Washington Monthly (2022)
Princeton Review - Best 388 Colleges
Ranked as one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates to earn their college degree. More»
—Princeton Review College Guide (2023)

One of the Best Values for High-Quality Academics

  • Named among 209 schools with highest return on investment (ROI). More»
    Princeton Review, Best Value Colleges (2022)
  • Ranked No. 17 on list of Best Value Colleges and Universities. More»
    College Consensus (2022)
  • Missouri’s “Hidden Gem.” More»
    College Raptor (2022)
  • Ranked No. 25 on list of Most Affordable Colleges and recognized for “Best Minor Options.” More»
    Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked in top 1% of best colleges nationwide. Also ranked No. 1 on list of Best Colleges for the Money for undergraduates in Missouri. More»
    CollegeFactual.com (2021)
  • The only public university listed on the 30 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the Midwest. More»
    —Great Value Colleges (2020)
  • Ranked as No. 81 on the list of best public colleges in the U.S. More»
    Business First (2020)
  • Ranked among the 500 Best College Values in the nation, coming in at No. 55. More»
    Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (2019)
  • Nationally recognized as a leader in curriculum innovation and one of the best education values in the nation.
    Barron’s Best Buys in College Education (11th edition)

A College of Distinction

  • Recognized for commitment to:
    • engaged students
    • great teaching
    • vibrant community
    • successful outcomes
      More»
      Colleges of Distinction (2022-2023)

Preparing Students to Make a Difference

  • One of only about 25 universities nationwide to have a Peace Corps Prep partnership, Truman is one of the top universities in the nation for producing Peace Corps volunteers.
  • Truman is included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most Fulbright U.S. students in 2021-2022. More»

Talented and Smart Athletes

  • Truman Athletics has been recognized by the NCAA with the Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence for Division II schools that have achieved an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 90% or higher. The ASR for Truman student-athletes is 91%. For Division II athletes, the federal rate is 60%, and the general student body is 52%.
  • Truman has been a national leader in producing Academic All-Americans since the program’s inception in the 1950s. The Academic All-Americans award is the most prestigious academic and athletic award for student-athletes. All nominees must have a grade-point average of 3.30 or above.
    College Sports Information Directors of America, cosida.com