University of Missouri-Columbia is a public 4-year college in Columbia, Missouri with 23,929 undergraduates. It admits 79% of applicants, costs an average of $21,142 a year after grants and graduates 77% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
University of Missouri-Columbia acceptance rate and admissions
University of Missouri-Columbia admitted 79% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 580 to 670, math 570 to 660). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
University of Missouri-Columbia application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Rolling admission | Applications reviewed as they arrive |
Application fee through the Common App: $55 for U.S. applicants ($65 for international applicants). Confirm dates on University of Missouri-Columbia’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
University of Missouri-Columbia tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $15,548 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $37,820 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $15,008 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $32,790 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $21,142 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $21,142 a year after grants and scholarships, $11,648 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run University of Missouri-Columbia's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
University of Missouri-Columbia graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 77% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $69,958 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $18,743 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 27% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
University of Missouri-Columbia majors and what graduates earn
University of Missouri-Columbia awarded bachelor's degrees in 77 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer engineering ($112,696).
All 77 majors at University of Missouri-Columbia
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer engineering | 13 | $82,444 | $112,696 | n/a |
| Electrical engineering | 45 | $84,884 | $105,034 | $14,892 |
| Industrial engineering | 30 | $74,704 | $101,380 | $21,454 |
| Computer and information sciences | 216 | $69,769 | $100,234 | $20,500 |
| Chemical engineering | 46 | $76,123 | $95,989 | $18,362 |
| Accounting | 171 | $70,405 | $95,415 | $17,750 |
| Mechanical engineering | 168 | $76,495 | $94,629 | $19,061 |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | 9 | n/a | $86,844 | n/a |
| Business | 883 | $59,189 | $84,534 | $18,750 |
| Civil engineering | 74 | $75,653 | $83,684 | $19,500 |
| Nursing | 245 | $76,467 | $83,231 | $20,413 |
| Agribusiness | 55 | $57,745 | $82,831 | $16,375 |
| Mathematics | 37 | $56,795 | $81,518 | $13,500 |
| Statistics | 35 | $53,139 | $76,037 | $17,500 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 9 | $58,944 | $75,958 | n/a |
| Area Studies | 55 | $54,399 | $75,230 | $19,500 |
| Physical and occupational therapy | 1 | n/a | $75,060 | n/a |
| Economics | 149 | $52,618 | $74,661 | $13,793 |
| Allied health (PA, radiography, therapy and more) | 76 | $73,851 | $73,861 | $18,500 |
| Health professions, general | 502 | $45,610 | $69,333 | $19,000 |
| Journalism | 438 | $49,014 | $69,016 | $18,500 |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 121 | $51,099 | $65,029 | $15,000 |
| Political science | 179 | $45,345 | $64,747 | $19,500 |
| Plant and soil science | 36 | $44,702 | $62,957 | $15,728 |
| Chemistry | 33 | n/a | $61,884 | $19,500 |
| Speech-language pathology | 48 | n/a | $61,713 | $19,625 |
| Housing and Human Environments | 0 | $55,217 | $61,683 | $18,894 |
| Hospitality management | 28 | $46,497 | $61,441 | $19,500 |
| Linguistics | 42 | $38,261 | $61,080 | $20,500 |
| Communication | 186 | $47,814 | $61,007 | $15,000 |
| Biology | 263 | $35,513 | $60,424 | $18,500 |
| History | 43 | $42,321 | $56,632 | $13,227 |
| Geography | 17 | n/a | $56,191 | n/a |
| Social work | 27 | n/a | $56,157 | $19,500 |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 76 | $40,834 | $56,003 | $21,500 |
| Psychology | 344 | $38,656 | $55,839 | $18,437 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 47 | $39,962 | $55,790 | $17,500 |
| Parks and recreation | 70 | $45,299 | $55,280 | $19,234 |
| Sociology | 45 | $35,947 | $55,098 | $19,500 |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 57 | $49,555 | $54,133 | $17,537 |
| Special education | 21 | $42,835 | $51,901 | $16,250 |
| Fine and studio arts | 50 | $40,961 | $51,254 | $21,250 |
| Art and design, general | 37 | $34,992 | $50,205 | $16,962 |
| Agriculture, General | 36 | $45,785 | $49,480 | $13,662 |
| Anthropology | 29 | n/a | $49,351 | $22,000 |
| Film and photography | 22 | $25,155 | $49,192 | $19,826 |
| Environmental science | 57 | $34,984 | $49,013 | $18,952 |
| Animal science | 104 | $36,228 | $47,983 | $19,500 |
| English | 56 | $33,524 | $47,487 | $16,000 |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 18 | n/a | $46,920 | n/a |
| Human development and family studies | 46 | $38,933 | $46,853 | $18,816 |
| Teacher education by subject | 17 | $43,018 | $45,263 | $16,500 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 221 | $37,450 | $44,681 | $15,219 |
| Music | 42 | $35,423 | $39,241 | $14,595 |
| Business analytics and operations research | 156 | n/a | n/a | $14,440 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 124 | n/a | n/a | $16,372 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 58 | $49,597 | n/a | $18,500 |
| Nutrition and dietetics | 57 | $42,884 | n/a | $17,250 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 45 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biomedical engineering | 43 | $78,043 | n/a | $22,475 |
| Finance | 35 | $51,326 | n/a | $20,000 |
| Physics | 26 | n/a | n/a | $17,500 |
| Education | 23 | $35,271 | n/a | $13,250 |
| Public health | 23 | $46,386 | n/a | $17,125 |
| Food Science and Technology | 17 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Public administration | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assisting | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physiology | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Archeology | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at University of Missouri-Columbia
130 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 130 graduate programs
Students and location
- 23,929 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 55% women, 45% men
- 17 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize city
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Missouri-Columbia admitted 79% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does University of Missouri-Columbia cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $15,548 for in-state students and $37,820 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $21,142 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for University of Missouri-Columbia?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 580 to 670 in reading and writing and 570 to 660 in math, and 23 to 30 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, University of Missouri-Columbia reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia?
77% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do University of Missouri-Columbia graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $69,958 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
Similar colleges
Matched on location, type, selectivity, size, net price and graduation rate.
More: all colleges in Missouri · University of Missouri-Columbia on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.