University of Missouri-Columbia: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Columbia, Missouri · Public · Open access
University of Missouri-Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Missouri-Columbia admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 77%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1247 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,889 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Missouri-Columbia is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.
What GPA does my child need for University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Missouri-Columbia has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.
SAT and ACT scores University of Missouri-Columbia typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 625. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does University of Missouri-Columbia actually cost?
Published tuition is $14,130 for in-state students and $34,338 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,550 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,889 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.
Other colleges in Missouri parents ask about
How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of Missouri-Columbia
Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of Missouri-Columbia recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.
Common questions parents ask about University of Missouri-Columbia
What GPA do I need for University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Missouri-Columbia has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Missouri-Columbia typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 625. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–29.
How much does University of Missouri-Columbia actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Missouri-Columbia after grants and scholarships is $19,889 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia realistic for my child?
Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of Missouri-Columbia is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.