University of Missouri

04/02/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/02/2024 08:50

Ready to launch: MU graduates are well prepared to succeed after college

April 2, 2024
Contact: Brian Consiglio, 573-882-9144,
[email protected]

University of Missouri graduates leave campus fully equipped to forge a path toward career success.

A new career outcomes survey shows that more than 95% of recent MU graduates found employment, continued their education, joined the military or started volunteer service within six months of spring graduation. Prospective students and their families are taking notice, as applications for enrollment are at a record-setting pace, up 14% in 2024 compared to 2023.

In addition, Mizzou is

  • attracting higher-achieving students, as 35% of incoming students ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class in 2023 compared to 29% in 2017.
  • shaping aspiring leaders, as the university was named No. 13 among all public universities on Time magazine's inaugural Best Colleges for Future Leaders list.
  • providing an affordable education, as MU was ranked No. 7 Best Value among all flagship universities by U.S. News & World Report.

"Students at Mizzou learn from world-class faculty, conduct research, enjoy SEC sports and participate in many activities including fraternity and sorority life for a well-rounded education and development," said Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri. "These impressive career outcome results show that Mizzou prepares students to lead our state and world."

The latest career outcomes survey, conducted in partnership with the National Association of Colleges and Employers, shows that 2,504 employers have hired class of 2023 graduates, ranging from Fortune 100 firms to small business enterprises. Additionally, class of 2023 graduates were accepted into 283 institutions worldwide and reside in 47 states, the District of Columbia and 21 countries worldwide.

"At MU, we aim to support students as they make the transition from college to the workforce, post-grad studies or other pursuits so they can apply what they have learned as they continue to explore their interests," said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies at MU. "Our alumni are changing the world every day, and out of all the benefits of attending college at MU, the one pride point we hear from our students more than any other at graduation is that they feel prepared and equipped for life after college."

So, what does it mean to be a Mizzou grad? Hear from three class of 2023 alumni.

  • Kendall Feist
    Fall 2022 mechanical engineering graduate
    Hometown: Cologne, Minnesota
    What he's doing now: Working as an aerospace engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • Savannah Gonzales
    May 2023 speech, language and hearing sciences graduate
    Hometown:Muskego, Wisconsin
    What she's doing now:Studying speech language pathology in graduate school at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro
  • May 2023 nursing graduate
    Hometown:Columbia, Missouri
    What he's doing now:Working as a nurse in the MU Health Care Surgical Intensive Care Unit