University Of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia admits 77% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the Open Access category, indicating relatively accessible admission standards for a major public research university.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows University of Missouri-Columbia aligns closely with similar public institutions nationwide, accepting students at rates typical for comprehensive state universities. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students have reasonable chances of admission, though meeting minimum academic standards remains important.

Students should still demonstrate college readiness through coursework rigor and standardized test performance, as the university maintains quality standards despite open admission policies. For Missouri residents particularly, University of Missouri-Columbia represents an accessible pathway to research university education with strong post-graduation outcomes.

Applicants should focus on presenting their best academic credentials while understanding that admission is generally achievable for students meeting basic eligibility requirements. The combination of accessibility with strong outcomes makes University of Missouri-Columbia an attractive option for students seeking comprehensive university education without extremely competitive admission pressures.

University of Missouri-Columbia publishes a cost of attendance of $28,948 annually, including $14,130 in-state tuition, $13,550 for room and board, and $950 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with tuition reaching $34,338.

However, the average student pays substantially less after financial aid, with net costs averaging $19,889 across all income levels. Financial aid reduces the published cost by $9,059 on average, making education more accessible than sticker prices suggest.

Compared to peer institutions, University of Missouri-Columbia charges net prices $4,299 below the peer median of $15,590, representing favorable affordability positioning within the public research university landscape. Net costs vary significantly by family income, ranging from $13,599 for the lowest-income students to $24,637 for the highest-income families.

This progressive pricing structure ensures that students from lower-income backgrounds face substantially reduced costs, while middle and upper-income families pay closer to published rates. The university's commitment to need-based aid makes comprehensive research university education accessible across diverse economic backgrounds, particularly for Missouri residents benefiting from in-state tuition rates.

University of Missouri-Columbia graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression throughout the early-to-mid career period. Median earnings grow from $52,756 six years after enrollment to $58,213 at eight years and $63,403 at ten years, representing 20.2% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect a substantial ten-year cohort of 7,407 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures across the university's diverse academic programs. While graduates earn $5,793 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution at the 30.6th percentile for value-added earnings, absolute earning levels remain solid at the 78th percentile.

Low-income graduates earn $61,800, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span a significant range from $42,277 to $90,496 between the 25th and 75th percentiles, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.

Approximately 23.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.

University of Missouri-Columbia offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Business/Commerce General ranks #6 nationally and #1 in Missouri, graduating 707 students with median earnings of $68,404 and an exceptional value score of 92.3.

Broadcast Journalism ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Missouri, producing 451 graduates earning $58,169 with the highest value score of 99.1 among all programs. Accounting Technology ranks #31 nationally and #1 in Missouri, graduating 159 students with strong earnings of $81,583 and a value score of 89.1.

Engineering programs demonstrate solid performance, with Mechanical Engineering graduates earning $83,864 while ranking #86 nationally. Health Services graduates earn $52,147 while ranking #19 nationally and #1 in Missouri.

The university's program portfolio reflects particular strengths in business, communications, and professional fields, with several programs achieving top state rankings alongside strong national positioning.