The University of MO–St. Louis is a public metropolitan research university located in MO's most populous and economically important region. UMSL provides excellent learning experiences and leadership opportunities to a diverse student body through the university's outstanding faculty, ranked programs, innovative research and community partnerships. The success of the university – and its students, faculty and alumni – is inseparable from the success of the St. Louis area. UMSL is the largest university in the St. Louis area and the third largest university in MO. UMSL achieved record graduation numbers in 2009 by topping 3,000 degrees.