Missouri Southern vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO 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 Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Missouri Southern 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: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Missouri Southern vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern State University than University of Missouri-Columbia ($11,626 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 33.4% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($9,119 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 65.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $5,877 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.1% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Missouri Southern State University (about $18,976 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at Missouri Southern State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 73.8% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($13,203 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 50 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Missouri Southern vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $1,052 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($20,831 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($215 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 53%)

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.