
Canton, MOprivate nonprofitculver.edu
Admit rate has ranged 52%–98% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Culver-Stockton College, a small liberal arts school perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Canton, Missouri, trades prestige for accessibility—its 65% acceptance rate and rolling admissions make it a practical choice for students seeking a tight-knit, experiential learning environment. With a focus on 'being bold and thinking big,' the college leans heavily into business, psychology, and recreation majors, while its 36% four-year graduation rate and mid-$40K median alumni salary reflect its regional, career-prep orientation. What it lacks in selectivity, it makes up for in affordability (average aid packages of $29,900) and a fully residential, sports-heavy campus culture where 81% of students live on-site.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Culver-Stockton’s admissions process is decidedly low-barrier: with a 65% acceptance rate (sources vary from 52% to 99%, but 65% appears most consistently) and rolling deadlines, it’s a safe bet for applicants who miss traditional cutoffs. Mid-range SAT scores (970–1150) and ACT scores (18–19) suggest a student body that’s solidly average academically. The college doesn’t publish a deferred admission policy, but its flexibility—applications are accepted until August 15—hints at a pragmatic approach to enrollment.
The curriculum here is practical and niche-driven, with business administration, psychology, and dominating the majors list. U.S. News ranks it #25 among Midwest regional colleges, with particular nods to and —metrics that align with its mission to serve and lower-income students. The college’s tagline ('Be Bold, Think Big, Create Change') underscores a focus on , though specifics are sparse beyond generic appeals to 'innovation.' One Facebook parent review noted the biology program’s rigor, suggesting pockets of strength in STEM.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
This is a residential bubble: 81% of students live on campus, and Instagram reels showcase a fiercely loyal, sports-centric culture. The Mabee Center hubs intramurals and events, while Niche reviews hint at a no-frills social scene ('housing is dated but fun'). With no Greek life mentioned, camaraderie seems to revolve around Wildcats athletics (NAIA) and sparse clubs. The college leans into its rural Missouri setting—think hiking and river activities—as a selling point, though urbanites might find it stifling.
Graduation rates are mediocre but improving: 36% graduate in four years, 48% in six (per federal data). Alumni salaries average $40,673—respectable for rural Midwest grads, though majors like fitness trail at $21,489. The college doesn’t trumpet job-placement rates, but its U.S. News social mobility ranking suggests it punches above its weight in lifting lower-income students into the middle class.
Here’s where Culver-Stockton shines: 71% of students receive aid, with packages averaging $29,900—slashing the sticker price ($37,975) to a net ~$22,103. The college’s 'we invest in you' pitch isn’t just lip service; its #10 Best Value ranking reflects real cost mitigation. Still, with average post-grad salaries at $40K, ROI calculations depend heavily on major choice.
Culver-Stockton is the anti-prestige play: a low-stress admissions process, heavy subsidies, and a close-knit, activity-driven campus make it ideal for students who want a traditional college experience without cutthroat competition. Its riverfront location and NAIA sports culture foster camaraderie, while its social mobility focus offers a ladder to First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students. Just don’t expect Ivy-level resources—this is a no-nonsense, ROI-conscious choice for the pragmatic Midwesterner.