University of Missouri-Kansas City: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Kansas City, Missouri · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
72%
6,186 applicants
Median SAT
1465
Mid 50: 1290–1540
In-state tuition
$12,587
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$13,310
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

University of Missouri-Kansas City is a public university in Kansas City, Missouri that admits about 72% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $13,310 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Biology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 54% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 7.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of Missouri-Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Missouri-Kansas City admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 72%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1465 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,310 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-Kansas City?

55% of enrolled students at University of Missouri-Kansas City had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.47, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
12.7%
3.75–3.99
25.8%
3.50–3.74
16.1%
3.25–3.49
12.6%
3.00–3.24
16.1%
2.50–2.99
14.2%
Below 2.50
2.4%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Missouri-Kansas City.

What does University of Missouri-Kansas City weight in admissions?

University of Missouri-Kansas City reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA

SAT and ACT scores University of Missouri-Kansas City typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 657. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–28. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1290
50th percentile1465
75th percentile1540
% submitting SAT3%
ACT Composite
25th percentile20
50th percentile24
75th percentile28
% submitting ACT54%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

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 class28%
Top 25% of class53%
Top 50% of class81%
% submitting class rank71%

How much does University of Missouri-Kansas City actually cost?

Published tuition is $12,587 for in-state students and $30,227 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,452 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,310 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 26% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$12,336
Out-of-state tuition$32,181
Room and board$13,147
Average net price (after aid)$13,310
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Missouri-Kansas City

Regular admission
Regular deadline8/15
Notification datewithin 2 weeks of completed application
Reply deadlineMay 1
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from University of Missouri-Kansas City?

These predict outcomes at University of Missouri-Kansas City better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
75.28%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
54%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of Missouri-Kansas City

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Missouri-Kansas City, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Biology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Across all programs, University of Missouri-Kansas City confers roughly 960 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $60,369 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business/Commerce, General237$60,369
Biology, General163$70,410
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities120$48,560
Psychology, General104$48,860
Computer Science91$96,673
Accounting and Related Services89$75,841
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing80$77,420
Chemistry76$69,063
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of Missouri-Kansas City safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Missouri-Kansas City disclosed 54 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 7.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 8 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
54
7.9 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
8
1.17 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
3
0.44 per 1,000
Burglary
5
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 6,817 enrolled.

What is campus life like at University of Missouri-Kansas City?

About 7% of undergraduates at University of Missouri-Kansas City live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 5% of men join a fraternity and 6% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
7%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
5%
of men
In sororities
6%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Other colleges in Missouri parents ask about

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Next steps for University of Missouri-Kansas City

Common questions parents ask about University of Missouri-Kansas City

What GPA do I need for University of Missouri-Kansas City?

55% of enrolled students at University of Missouri-Kansas City had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.47, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Missouri-Kansas City typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 657. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–28.

How much does University of Missouri-Kansas City actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Missouri-Kansas City after grants and scholarships is $13,310 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,587 and $30,227 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of Missouri-Kansas City realistic for my child?

University of Missouri-Kansas City admits 72% of applicants, so 650–790 SAT Math is target range and below 650 is a reach. Then check the $13,310 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Missouri-Kansas City?

University of Missouri-Kansas City accepts about 72% of applicants out of roughly 6,186 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is University of Missouri-Kansas City test-optional?

Yes. University of Missouri-Kansas City is test-optional, 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-Kansas City?

About 54% of students at University of Missouri-Kansas City graduate within six years. 75% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of Missouri-Kansas City look for in applicants?

University of Missouri-Kansas City rates course rigor and GPA 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-Kansas City a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of Missouri-Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri.

What are the most popular majors at University of Missouri-Kansas City?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of Missouri-Kansas City by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Biology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The school awards about 960 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of Missouri-Kansas City safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of Missouri-Kansas City reported 54 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 7.9 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-Kansas City?

At University of Missouri-Kansas City, 7% of undergraduates live on campus, 5% of men are in fraternities, 6% 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-Kansas City, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers