K-State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 20,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

K-State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State or University of Missouri-Columbia? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kansas State University than University of Missouri-Columbia ($20,527 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 6.4% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($12,830 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than K-State (about $3,616 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $11,221.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Kansas State University (about $7,488 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $28,568.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at Kansas State University (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 42.4% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($13,203 vs. $9,270).

K-State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State or University of Missouri-Columbia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Missouri-Columbia and K-State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 80 points higher than at K-State (1160).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at K-State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

K-State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State and University of Missouri-Columbia? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Kansas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than K-State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $49,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $617 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($21,883 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($226 vs. $232).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former K-State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.