T he University of Missouri was founded in 1839 in Columbia, Mo., as the first public university west of the Mississippi River and the first state university in Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase territory. Today, MU is a $2.1 billion enterprise and an important investment for the state and nation.

MU provides all the benefits of two universities in one: It's a major land-grant institution with a statewide mission of service to citizens and Missouri's largest public research university. Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, Mizzou is the flagship campus of the four-campus University of Missouri System. It is one of only 34 public universities, and the only public institution in Missouri, to be selected for membership in the Association of American Universities.

MU students are uniquely prepared for success in life as global citizens. For example, Mizzou is nationally known for its campus writing program, learning communities and first-year experiences. The National Science Foundation has recognized MU as one of the top-10 universities in the country for undergraduate research opportunities. In fact, experiential learning is an essential part of an MU degree. Real-world media experience, or the Missouri Method, in journalism and a problem-based curriculum in medicine are two examples. Students also participate in Missouri's largest study abroad program and contribute 180,000 hours of community service each year.