University of Missouri-St Louis admits 57.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UMSL in the moderately selective category, with acceptance rates between 50-75%. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% demonstrates that UMSL maintains more competitive admission standards than typical public universities of similar size and mission. The university's selectivity reflects its position as a regional comprehensive university that balances accessibility with academic standards. For prospective applicants, this selectivity level means that solid academic preparation is important, but admission is achievable for students with above-average high school performance. Students should present competitive academic credentials but can approach UMSL as a realistic option rather than a reach school. The university's transfer-friendly policies contribute to its accessibility, with 69.9% of enrolled students having transferred from other institutions. This suggests that students who may not gain direct admission from high school have alternative pathways through community colleges or other four-year institutions. When building college lists, students should treat UMSL as a target school if their academic credentials align with admitted student profiles, while also considering backup options with higher acceptance rates.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at University of Missouri-St Louis typically demonstrate strong academic preparation, particularly in standardized testing. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1030 at the 25th percentile to 1220 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 1147. This means most admitted students score between 1030 and 1220, with the middle 50% falling within this range. SAT Math scores span 530 to 600, while SAT Verbal scores range from 500 to 620, indicating balanced preparation across both sections. ACT scores range from 20 at the 25th percentile to 27 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 26. The peer median SAT score of 1090 shows that UMSL attracts students with meaningfully stronger test performance, outperforming peer institutions by 57 points on average. These test score ranges place UMSL in the top tier for academic preparation among regional public universities. Students scoring below 1030 on the SAT or 20 on the ACT should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded, as 25% of enrolled students score in these ranges. If your scores fall within the 1030-1220 SAT range or 20-27 ACT range, you are academically competitive for admission and should consider UMSL a realistic target. Students should also note that test scores represent just one admission factor, and the university evaluates applications holistically including high school GPA, course rigor, and other qualifications not captured in these data.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Missouri-St Louis enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both traditional college students and non-traditional learners. The university serves 17.8% Pell-eligible students, indicating enrollment of students from lower-income families, though this share falls below typical public university levels. First-generation students comprise 37.8% of enrollment, demonstrating significant representation of students whose parents did not complete college degrees. This substantial first-generation presence indicates the university serves as an important pathway for educational mobility within families. The most distinctive characteristic of UMSL's student body is its transfer population, with 69.9% of students having transferred from other institutions. This extraordinarily high transfer share reflects the university's mission as a destination for students completing community college programs or seeking to change institutions. The composition suggests that UMSL particularly welcomes students who are navigating non-linear educational paths. Students from lower-income families should note the 17.8% Pell share when assessing whether they'll find peers with similar economic backgrounds. First-generation students should recognize that more than one-third of enrolled students share their background, indicating strong institutional familiarity with supporting students new to higher education. Transfer applicants should view the 69.9% transfer enrollment as evidence of the university's commitment to accommodating students from diverse academic starting points.
Given UMSL's 57% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students should find admission achievable. However, students seeking alternatives can consider these options for different advantages.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at University of Missouri-St Louis experience moderate retention and completion outcomes that reflect the institution's diverse student population. 68.3% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 73.2%, indicating retention challenges that may relate to the university's substantial transfer and non-traditional student populations. The six-year graduation rate reaches 56.9%, compared to a peer median of 49.3%, showing that UMSL outperforms similar institutions in degree completion despite lower retention. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 56.5%, creating virtually no gap compared to the overall completion rate of 56.9%. This 0.4 percentage point difference represents one of the smallest Pell completion gaps among public universities, indicating strong institutional support systems for lower-income students. The minimal Pell gap suggests that students from lower-income families who persist through their first year have equal prospects for degree completion as their higher-income peers. Students who gain admission should expect an environment where degree completion is achievable with appropriate support, particularly given the university's track record with diverse student populations. Prospective students should view the strong Pell completion performance as evidence that economic background does not limit degree completion prospects at UMSL. The retention and completion patterns suggest that students who commit to UMSL and engage with institutional resources can expect reasonable prospects for degree attainment within six years.
Similar quality tier in Midwest (#446 ranked)
Higher acceptance rates with similar career outcomes.
Similar quality tier (#440 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#443 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#437 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#434 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#433 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools