LSU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Should I go to Louisiana State University or University of Missouri Columbia? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if LSU or University of Missouri-Columbia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Louisiana State University vs. University of Missouri Columbia comparison
Louisiana State University University of Missouri Columbia College 3 College 4
Louisiana State University University of Missouri Columbia
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Overview

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
Location Baton Rouge, LA Columbia, MO
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 37,348 31,304
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #367 #278
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsu.edu missouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
Tuition (In State) $8,038 $10,452
Tuition (Out of State) $8,038 $30,441
Room & Board $13,956 $10,890
Avg Net Price $21,296 $19,889
Avg Grant Aid $12,374 $11,545
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 87%

Admission

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 38,853 20,303
Admitted 29,419 16,065
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 79.1%
Enrolled % 25.2% 31%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28 23/30
SAT Range 1140/1320 1140/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
Graduation Rate 60% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $54,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,900 $21,883
Median Loan Payment $216 $226

Diversity

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
% Men 44% 44%
% Women 56% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 79%
% Black 12% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
% In-State 65% 70%
% Out-of-State 34% 30%

Campus

LSU University of Missouri-Columbia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Louisiana State University is larger than than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (37,348 students vs. 31,304 students)

LSU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or University of Missouri-Columbia?

  • University of Missouri Columbia is 30% more expensive to attend than LSU for in-state tuition ($10,452.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 278.7% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than Louisiana State University ($30,441.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Missouri Columbia than LSU ($19,889 vs. $21,296)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 28.2% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($10,890 vs. $13,956)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Louisiana State University than University of Missouri Columbia (98% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 7.2% larger than aid received University of Missouri Columbia ($12,374 vs. $11,545)

LSU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU or University of Missouri-Columbia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Missouri-Columbia or LSU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Missouri Columbia (1203) is 40 points higher than at LSU (1163)
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at LSU (26)
  • Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (79.1%) than LSU (75.7%)

LSU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LSU or University of Missouri-Columbia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Missouri-Columbia and LSU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is higher than Louisiana State University (69% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Louisiana State University earn on average $2,700 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $54,200)
  • Louisiana State University students graduate with a $983 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($20,900 vs. $21,883)
  • LSU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($216 vs. $226)
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/