The University of Missouri-Kansas City jumped 25 spots in new overall U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best National Universities rankings released today.
UMKC leaders attribute the rankings improvement to a combination of efforts in recent years to accelerate student success. UMKC increased its performance in both six-year graduation rates and retention rates. In addition, the university achieved an increase in graduation rates for Pell-eligible students.
“Student success is at the core of everything we do, so we’re proud that is the driving factor reflected in these rankings,” Chancellor Mauli Agrawal said. “It is a testament to our dedication to putting students first.”
Among all public universities in the nation, UMKC ranked 244 of 434 public and private universities. UMKC ranked No. 135 in a comparison of the nation’s 225 public universities.
In addition to the overall rankings, two UMKC undergraduate programs – nursing and engineering – ranked as top programs of their kind in Missouri.
The UMKC Bachelor of Science in Nursing program tied with the University of Missouri in Columbia at 96th nationally. UMKC graduate nursing programs have consistently achieved top national rankings, as well. Earlier this year, the UMKC Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked 19th in the nation, and 36th for online graduate nursing programs. It has ranked in the Top 50 in that category for 12 consecutive years.
Dean Joy Roberts of the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies said the new 2025 rankings show the impact UMKC programs have.
“Our commitment to excellence not only helps our students succeed, but also helps ensure that our region has access to high-quality care,” Roberts said. “This recognition solidifies that continuous work.”
UMKC had the top-ranked undergraduate engineering programs in the state of Missouri, based on U.S. News and World Report criteria.
Nationally, the engineering programs came 78th out of 286 universities. The UMKC School of Science and Engineering offers four engineering programs: biomedical, civil, mechanical, and electrical and computer.
Dean Kevin Truman said the recognition solidifies UMKC as a leader in engineering education.
“We are thrilled to offer students a nationally recognized program right here in Kansas City, and we plan to build an even stronger set of programs for the future,” Truman said. “Between the Robert W. Plaster Center that opened in 2021 and new space for biomedical engineering opening in 2026 in the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, our students have unmatched access to faculty, equipment and technology to help them learn and innovate.”
UMKC has a number of nationally acclaimed academic programs. Earlier this year, the UMKC School of Medicine ranked 20th in the nation in “Serving Health Professional Shortage Areas” and 75th in “Most Diverse Medical Schools” in the U.S. News and World Report 2024 Best Graduate Schools for Medicine. Also this year, the UMKC School of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy program ranked 31st in the country and the UMKC School of Law ranked in the nation's Top 50 in two sub-specialty categories: legal writing (16) and trial advocacy (48).