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University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri 65211

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanGreek life

Known for business — major research university

University of Missouri-Columbia is a public institution in Columbia with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1247, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 23.1K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

76% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $63,403 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,889.

Established
1839
Motto
Salus populi suprema lex esto
Mascot
Truman the Tiger
Type
Public land-grant research university
Conference
Southeastern Conference except wrestling
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

77%Acceptance
1247SAT Avg
23,118Students
17:1Student:Faculty
76%Grad Rate
$63,403Earnings 10yr
$19,889Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate77.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1247

Reading & WritingMid: 625
580670
MathMid: 615
570660

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27
2329

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,130
Tuition (out-of-state)$34,338
Room & Board$13,550
Books & Supplies$950
Total Cost of Attendance$28,948
Average Net Price$19,889
Median Debt at Graduation$20,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,599
$30–48K$13,676
$48–75K$15,707
$75–110K$21,455
$110K+$24,637

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

65.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$16,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

175

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

45

Burglary

9

Aggravated Assault

6

Robbery

15

Motor Vehicle Theft

18

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

46

Drug Arrests

35

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (323)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

91%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
23,118
Gender Split
55% / 45%
Women / Men
First Generation
20%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%
Black 5%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate76.2%
Freshman Retention91.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$52,756
10 Years$63,403

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#102
vs 2024
Forbes
#116
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#52
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

SoccerBasketball

History & Fun Facts

  • Early years In 1839, the Missouri Legislature passed the Geyer Act to establish funds for a state university.
  • It was the first public university west of the Mississippi River.
  • " As the first public university in the Louisiana Purchase, the school was shaped by Thomas Jefferson's ideas about public education.
  • In 1862, the American Civil War forced the university to close for much of the year.
  • In 1890, the university's newly formed football team took the name the "Tigers" after the Civil War militia.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

95Average

Estimated from MO state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

St. Louispop. 290K
117 mi(203 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
121 mi(210 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
320 mi(555 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

STL St Louis106 mi
MCI Kansas City130 mi
MEM Memphis299 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1136 mi · ~32h 49m drive
New York, NY978 mi · ~28h 15m drive
Hartford, CT1051 mi · ~30h 22m drive
Providence, RI1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
Albany, NY1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Syracuse, NY888 mi · ~25h 39m drive
Rochester, NY819 mi · ~23h 40m drive
Buffalo, NY752 mi · ~21h 43m drive
Philadelphia, PA917 mi · ~26h 29m drive
Pittsburgh, PA663 mi · ~19h 9m drive
Harrisburg, PA826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
Newark, NJ969 mi · ~28h drive
Washington, DC821 mi · ~23h 43m drive
Baltimore, MD842 mi · ~24h 19m drive
Atlanta, GA569 mi · ~16h 26m drive
Charlotte, NC683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Raleigh, NC782 mi · ~22h 35m drive
Miami, FL1152 mi · ~33h 17m drive
Orlando, FL954 mi · ~27h 34m drive
Tampa, FL948 mi · ~27h 23m drive
Nashville, TN359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
New Orleans, LA635 mi · ~18h 21m drive
Richmond, VA813 mi · ~23h 29m drive
Chicago, IL320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Detroit, MI540 mi · ~15h 36m drive
Minneapolis, MN420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
St. Louis, MO117 mi · ~3h 23m drive
Kansas City, MO121 mi · ~3h 30m drive
Indianapolis, IN334 mi · ~9h 39m drive
Columbus, OH502 mi · ~14h 30m drive
Cleveland, OH588 mi · ~16h 59m drive
Milwaukee, WI365 mi · ~10h 33m drive
Dallas, TX494 mi · ~14h 16m drive
Houston, TX658 mi · ~19h 1m drive
Austin, TX674 mi · ~19h 28m drive
San Antonio, TX746 mi · ~21h 33m drive
Los Angeles, CA1473 mi · ~42h 33m drive
San Francisco, CA1625 mi · ~46h 57m drive
San Diego, CA1451 mi · ~41h 55m drive
Seattle, WA1611 mi · ~46h 32m drive
Portland, OR1607 mi · ~46h 25m drive
Denver, CO678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Phoenix, AZ1162 mi · ~33h 34m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1043 mi · ~30h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI4014 mi · ~115h 58m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of Missouri-Columbia Application Checklist

Decision Notifications