University of Missouri-Columbia: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Columbia, Missouri · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Test-optional
- —
- Applicants
- 19,218
- Admitted78%
- 5,953
- Enrolled
- 31%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access78% admittedRanked #95 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #102 (tie), Business Programs #83 (tie), Computer Science #110 (tie), Nursing #75 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by University of Missouri-Columbia (see the source), read on 2026-06-15.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Missouri-Columbia against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Missouri-Columbia is a public university in Columbia, Missouri that admits about 78% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $20,268 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Journalism, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 75% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
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 78%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1247 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $20,268 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
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.
Compare University of Missouri-Columbia with the other schools on your list
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What does University of Missouri-Columbia weight in admissions?
University of Missouri-Columbia reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
3- Class rank
- Academic GPA
- Standardized test scores
Considered
4- Rigor of secondary school record
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Talent/ability
Not Considered
11- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
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 23–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1247 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| % submitting SAT | 10% |
| 25th percentile | 23 |
| 50th percentile | 26 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 60% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Fall 2027 applicants may choose review with or without scores; test-optional applicants get committee review and must send a resume and short essay.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Missouri-Columbia's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 34% |
| Top 25% of class | 65% |
| Top 50% of class | 92% |
| % submitting class rank | 42% |
How much does University of Missouri-Columbia actually cost?
Published tuition is $14,837 for in-state students and $36,056 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,700 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $20,268 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $14,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $36,606 |
| Room and board | $15,008 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $20,268 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 71% |
| Average need-based grant | $16,583 |
| Average merit award, no financial need2,741 first-year students received one | $9,204 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 47% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $27,725 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Missouri-Columbia
| Notification date | Rolling, beginning August 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Missouri-Columbia?
These predict outcomes at University of Missouri-Columbia better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Missouri-Columbia
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Missouri-Columbia, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Journalism. Across all programs, University of Missouri-Columbia confers roughly 2,561 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $80,927 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 627 | $80,927 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 439 | $64,581 |
| Journalism | 390 | $68,004 |
| Psychology, General | 278 | $54,167 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 253 | $74,241 |
| Biology, General | 210 | $65,628 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 184 | $59,233 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 180 | $42,120 |
Is University of Missouri-Columbia safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Missouri-Columbia disclosed 47 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 11 violent offenses and 18 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Missouri-Columbia?
About 27% of undergraduates at University of Missouri-Columbia live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 25% of men join a fraternity and 30% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Missouri parents ask about
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Next steps for University of Missouri-Columbia
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 23–30.
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 $20,268 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $14,837 and $36,056 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia realistic for my child?
University of Missouri-Columbia admits 78% of applicants, so 570–660 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $20,268 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Missouri-Columbia accepts about 78% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia test-optional?
Yes. University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia?
About 75% of students at University of Missouri-Columbia graduate within six years, and 56% finish in four years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Missouri-Columbia look for in applicants?
University of Missouri-Columbia rates class rank, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Missouri-Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri.
What are the most popular majors at University of Missouri-Columbia?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Missouri-Columbia by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Journalism. The school awards about 2,561 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Missouri-Columbia reported 47 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Missouri-Columbia?
At University of Missouri-Columbia, 27% of undergraduates live on campus, 25% of men are in fraternities, 30% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Missouri-Columbia, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers