Shine
Make this year the best one yet
An Exciting Time to Become a Roo
A vibrant outdoor plaza, newly renovated spaces for innovative student support programs, an inspiring performing arts center building renovation and a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary healthcare learning hub — there's something new happening around every corner on campus. Visit UMKC to experience what life as a Roo is all about.
UMKC Among the Best
UMKC is on the rise, and people are taking notice. We’re among top universities in Missouri and Kansas for student experience, value, program strength and research,. It’s good to be a Roo!
Top Spots Among Public Universities in Missouri and Kansas
UMKC took No. 1 in student experience, No. 1 in social mobility and No. 2 in best value among public universities in Missouri and Kansas in the 2026 Best Colleges in America rankings from the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse for the second year in a row.
Top 2% in the World
TIME Magazine looked at more than 21,000 universities in the world to determine its Top 500 Universities ranking for 2026. UMKC is one of two public universities in Missouri in the Top 500. At No. 350, we're among the top 2% of universities in the world.
Top Third Worldwide
U.S. News and World Report puts us in the top third of 2,250+ universities worldwide in its 2026-27 list of Best Global Universities. We also rated No. 1 in Cardiovascular Systems among all Missouri and Kansas universities and No. 1 in Clinical Medicine among all Missouri public universities.
5 in the Top 100
Five of UMKC's graduate and professional programs ranked in the Top 100 of their kind in the United States in the Best Graduate Programs of 2026 from U.S. News and World Report. Our degrees in pharmacy, education, law, nursing and business were ranked highly, with criteria including student academics, faculty resources and more.
Explore What Inspires You
Search majors, degrees and certificates by keyword, interest or career goal. With more than 125 areas of study, there's a program for every passion.
Make UMKC Your Own
You'll find countless ways to help you feel at home and make the most of your college experience.
Student organizations, professional groups and clubs on campus
UMKC Awarded Largest Grant in State History
The U.S. National Science Foundation has selected UMKC-led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine in the Kansas City region to receive up to $160 million in funding, the largest award in Missouri higher education history and one of the nation’s most significant investments in rebuilding America’s domestic critical materials ecosystem.
Kansas City’s Only R1 University
From attracting new faculty to creating economic opportunity, the UMKC Carnegie Research 1 designation, the top research designation in the country, creates tangible benefits for our students, our community and the greater Kansas City area.
Research Awards
The amount awarded to UMKC faculty, students and staff research proposals for all active awards as of June 2026.
R&D Increase
UMKC has spent $79 million on research and development since being designated a Carnegie R1 university.
Community Impact
UMKC annual research expenditures contribute a significant benefit to the economic health of our region.
Jobs Supported
The R1 distinction is critical for Kansas City as it continues to elevate its brand in attracting world-class corporations, culture and talent. The designation helps attract and create new businesses and jobs.
Choose Blue. Choose Bold.
Once in a lifetime, a university reaches a moment where history and ambition converge to serve a great city. Where purpose and aspiration unite to create unstoppable bold change. At UMKC, that time is now. Blue & Bold: The Campaign for UMKC is raising $700 million to support a visionary strategy that will raise the profile of the university and its capability to serve the future.
All Aboard, Roos!
The KC Streetcar connects students to the city, and more students than ever are using it to get to school, internships, entertainment, cultural destinations and more. With record numbers of people using the streetcar, the UMKC stop has the highest ridership of any streetcar stop in the metro!
"I'm glad I can help the university be more aware and inclusive about service dogs. I had no idea before I got Holly what any of this looked like. There’s a lot that goes into this, and I am glad I can make the experience smoother for future students.”
Mollie Stark, pharmacy student, and her service dog, Holly, on inspiring a cross-campus collaboration that will shape accessibility practices across the UM System
Featured Events
From center stage to center court, there's always something exciting happening on campus and around Kansas City.