University of Missouri

Columbia, MO · founded 1839 · 23,000 students · public research university · Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Known for: The first public university established west of the Mississippi River and a leading journalism school, famously known as the 'Missouri Method' for its hands-on teaching approach.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #124
QS World: #501
Times Higher Education: #351
ARWU Shanghai: #301
Forbes: #198

Top programmes

Journalism
Agriculture
Business
Health Professions
Engineering
Education

Notable alumni

Brad Pitt — Academy Award-winning actor and film producer
Sheryl Crow — Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
George C. Scott — Academy Award-winning actor
Tom Watson — Professional golfer and former PGA Tour champion
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason — Television producer and writer ('Designing Women')
Timothy M. Dolan — Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
Jim Talent — Former U.S. Senator from Missouri

Traditions

Homecoming (the nation's first)
Tiger Walk (football team parade)
Marching Mizzou's 'Big Bird' formation
The Columns (historic symbol of the campus)

If University of Missouri were…

As a food: St. Louis-style pizza (Imo's) — Distinctly regional, polarizing to outsiders, but fiercely defended by locals who grew up with it. It's not trying to be New York or Chicago—it's its own thing, rooted in Missouri identity, much like Mizzou's pride in be
As an athlete: Chase Daniel — The former Mizzou quarterback was electrifying in college, set records, and became a beloved campus legend despite never quite reaching superstar status in the pros. He represents Mizzou's ability to produce spirited, ov
As a person alive today: Jon Hamm — The Mad Men star embodies Mizzou's mix of Midwestern authenticity and polished professionalism. He's charming, successful, and carries himself with the confidence of someone who learned storytelling and performance in Co
As a historical figure: Harry S. Truman — Missouri's own president was plain-spoken, decisive, and rose from humble roots to lead during pivotal moments. Truman's no-nonsense, show-me-state pragmatism mirrors Mizzou's ethos—prove it with work, not words.
As a movie or TV show: The Newsroom (HBO) — Aaron Sorkin's idealistic, fast-paced drama about journalists striving for integrity in a messy world captures Mizzou's journalism school culture—ambitious, earnest, and convinced that good reporting can still change thi
As a US president: Harry S. Truman — A Missouri native who governed with Midwestern directness, made tough calls without apology, and valued loyalty and hard work. Truman's 'the buck stops here' mentality is exactly the kind of accountability Mizzou's J-Sch
As a city: Nashville — A mid-sized Southern-adjacent city that's a capital of its industry (music/media), blends college-town energy with professional ambition, and has a strong Greek life and bar scene. Both are spirited, traditional, and pun
As an element: Mercury — Liquid, adaptable, and historically essential to communication technology (thermometers, barometers, telegraph relays). Mercury's role in transmitting information mirrors Mizzou's legacy as the birthplace of journalism e
As a car: Chevrolet Suburban Z71 — Mizzou's journalism school built American media like this workhorse built road trips—spacious enough for Greek life tailgates, reliable enough for serious research missions, and pure heartland utility with Tiger pride bu

Campus life

Mizzou offers a vibrant, traditional college experience with a beautiful campus, strong school spirit, and a large Greek community. Columbia is a classic college town providing a blend of Big 12 athletic excitement and a tight-knit community feel.

The film, scored

This profile answers “if University of Missouri were a movie or TV show?” with The Newsroom (2012). Aaron Sorkin's idealistic, fast-paced drama about journalists striving for integrity in a messy world captures Mizzou's journalism school culture—ambitious, earnest, and convinced that good reporting can still change things. It sits in the 79th percentile on rankquant, which re-centres every critic score on the reviewer who gave it, so a percentile means position against peers rather than a raw star average. The full film & TV catalogue ranks the rest the same way.