University of Missouri, Columbia

According to the school, Founded in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River, the University of Missouri in Columbia is a member of the nation's most prestigious group of 62 U.S. public and private institutions: the Association of American Universities. Today MU is a $2.1 billion enterprise with more than 34,000 students and 271,000 alumni worldwide. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies MU among American universities that provide the most educational opportunities and the highest level of instruction. MU offers more than 280 degree programs through 19 colleges and schools and has the largest research operation of any public university in Missouri. In fact, the National Science Foundation has recognized Mizzou as one of the top 10 universities in the country for integrating research into undergraduate education; MU offers undergraduate research to some students as early as their freshman year. Home to the world's first School of Journalism, Mizzou offers many strong, unique programs on its 1,262-acre campus. Some classes in the sciences are taught in collaboration with MU's medical school, and humanities classes include such areas as music composition and creative writing where students frequently win national awards. One of only six public universities nationwide with medicine, veterinary medicine and law on one campus, MU also has great strengths in agriculture, engineering and the basic sciences. Four competitive areas are especially strong and growing at Mizzou: Food for the Future, Media of the Future, the Convergence of Human and Animal Health, and Sustainable Energy. More than 30 percent of MU students come from another state or another country, and a strong international community thrives in Columbia. At the same time, Mizzou has a growing Study Abroad program, with more than 300 programs in 50 countries. Twenty-two percent of graduating seniors earn credit abroad. Well-known nationally for its campus writing program and learning communities, MU offers students unmatched real-world experiences such as managing a bed and breakfast, operating a floral shop, designing a solar home, preparing income taxes for families, representing domestic violence victims in court, providing health care, working at the country's only university-owned TV network affiliate, performing at Carnegie Hall and co-writing scientific journal articles. Another major asset is the Mizzou Botanic Garden, which covers the entire campus landscape with 42,000 plants and trees. Faculty from 10 academic programs use the garden as an outdoor laboratory. Service learning also is important at Mizzou. The Service Learning Center integrates service to others into students' academic experiences through collaborative partnerships on campus and throughout the community. Mizzou features a division I-A athletic program, where more than 500 student-athletes in 20 sports compete at the highest level. National media consistently list Columbia, MO among the top U.S. cities for its excellent quality of life.