62 Universities Located in America's Most Underrated Cities

57. Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, MO): Deep Tech in the Ozarks

In the rolling hills of central Missouri, Missouri S&T is a hidden STEM giant. Ranked nationally for its engineering, computer science, and applied research, this public university attracts students passionate about innovation without the distractions of a big city. Its co-op and internship programs are tightly linked with regional and national employers, and graduates consistently land high-paying jobs. Rolla may seem off the beaten path, but it offers a focused environment where students build real-world skills, lifelong networks, and the kind of grit that coastal schools often overlook. Missouri S&T is proof that serious tech lives everywhere.