Accreditations & Accolades

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. HLC accredits degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. Northwest was most recently reaffirmed for accreditation by the HLC in November 2018.

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Accreditation

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
  • Northwest online programs are accredited by Missouri State Board of Education.

  • The Northwest Missouri State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN, via distance education) program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

  • The Northwest Missouri State University Master's in Nursing Program (via distance education) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

Accolades

  • Named Military Friendly® School by Victory Media for 11 consecutive years, representing the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country for delivering the best experience for military students.

  • Recognized as a Military Friendly® School with the Silver designation by VIQTORY media (2025-26)

  • 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Northwest Missouri State University is ranked No. #84 in Regional Universities Midwest. Northwest also ranked No. #30 in Top Public Schools.

  • Top Colleges in Missouri, Northwest Missouri State Ranked #19 by College Factual (2026).

  • Ranked among the top 5 in "Best Colleges for Business in Missouri" and #14 in “Best Value Colleges in Missouri” by Niche.com (2026)

  • Northwest Online RN to BSN Degree ranked #9 in Best Schools in Missouri (2026 EduMed)

  • Ranked No. 83 globally in CEO Magazine’s 2025 Global MBA Rankings. Accredited by ACBSP.

  • Ranked among the Top 5 “Public Universities in Missouri” by Niche.com (2022).

  • Recipient of the “Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award” from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (2018, 2006). Northwest is the third institution in the nation to earn the award twice since its inception in 2002.

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