UCSD vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Missouri Kansas City in Kansas City, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than University of Missouri-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 14,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Missouri Kansas City is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Kansas City is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of Missouri Kansas City 13:1.

UCSD vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 California San Diego than University of Missouri-Kansas City ($14,047 vs. $14,748).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Kansas City are 18.5% lower than at University of California San Diego ($15,452 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 33.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Kansas City (about $4,171 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $12,587.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at UCSD than at University of Missouri Kansas City (about $20,731 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $30,227.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than at University of California San Diego (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 134.5% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students ($25,757 vs. $10,982).

UCSD vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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-Kansas City and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Kansas City (1420) is 40 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at University of Missouri-Kansas City).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Missouri Kansas City 1290/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Missouri Kansas City 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; University of Missouri-Kansas City - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; University of Missouri-Kansas City Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (3.54).
• University of Missouri-Kansas City has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 30.1% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

UCSD vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Missouri Kansas City's (41%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($191 vs. $217).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Kansas City students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 55%)

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.