Investor service upgrades UM System outlook from negative to stable

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An investor credit rating service upgraded the outlook for the University of Missouri System from a rating of negative to stable on Wednesday.

The rating for the university from Moody's Investor Service remained at a high-grade Aa1 credit rating, which is one of the highest ratings. The company gave the UM system an outlook of negative in 2017 due to low enrollment and financial issues.

However, the more recent outlook changed the rating to stable, according to a news release from the UM System. The reason for the change is due to "strong leadership continuity at the UM System, improved strategic positioning, and the System’s ability to execute on initiatives that address ongoing enrollment and funding challenges affecting higher education institutions across the country," the release said.

In October, S&P Global Ratings also gave the UM System a high rating of AA+, which puts the system in the top 10 percent of higher education institutions, the release said.