Arkansas vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Deciding between University of Arkansas and University of Missouri Columbia? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Arkansas
University of Missouri Columbia

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO
  • Setting
  • Arkansas Small City
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Arkansas 33,610
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 31,543
  • Type
  • Arkansas Public 4 Year
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Arkansas #450
  • University of Missouri-Columbia #273
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Arkansas -
  • University of Missouri-Columbia -
  • Status
  • Arkansas Non-profit
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Arkansas
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Arkansas $10,104
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $14,837
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Arkansas $29,966
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $36,056
  • Room & Board
  • Arkansas $14,244
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $13,700
  • Average Net Price
  • Arkansas $18,408
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $22,169
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Arkansas $8,804
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $13,203
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Arkansas 55%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Arkansas 30,555
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 24,490
  • Admitted
  • Arkansas 22,703
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 19,218
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Arkansas 74.3%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 78.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Arkansas 29.2%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 31%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Arkansas 1130
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Arkansas 24
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Arkansas 3.74
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 3.61
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Arkansas A-
  • University of Missouri-Columbia A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Arkansas Average
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Arkansas Low
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • ACT Range
  • Arkansas 21/28
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 23/30
  • SAT Range
  • Arkansas 1030/1220
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 1150/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Arkansas Test optional
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Arkansas Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Arkansas 20:1
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Arkansas
    • Business (24%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Arkansas 59%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 69%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Arkansas $50,400
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $54,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Arkansas 66%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Arkansas $21,500
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $21,883
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Arkansas $222
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $226
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Arkansas 45%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 44%
  • % Women
  • Arkansas 55%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Arkansas Low
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Low
  • HBCU
  • Arkansas No
  • University of Missouri-Columbia No
  • % White
  • Arkansas 77%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 79%
  • % Asian
  • Arkansas 2%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 2%
  • % Black
  • Arkansas 5%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Arkansas 8%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 4%
  • % Native American
  • Arkansas 1%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Arkansas 0%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Arkansas 3%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 3%
  • % International
  • Arkansas 3%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Arkansas 0%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Arkansas 43%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Arkansas 56%
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 34%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Arkansas Yes
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Arkansas No
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Arkansas Yes
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Arkansas No
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Arkansas Yes
  • University of Missouri-Columbia No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas is larger than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 31,543 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Arkansas vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas than University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,408 vs. $22,169).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 3.8% lower than at University of Arkansas ($13,700 vs. $14,244).
  • University of Missouri Columbia is 46.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $4,733 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $10,104.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Arkansas (about $6,090 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $29,966.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Arkansas (95% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 50% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($13,203 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 110 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
  • University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Arkansas vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas's (59%).
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $383 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,883).
  • Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($222 vs. $226).
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.