CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 31,543 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 Missouri Columbia than CU Boulder ($22,169 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 25.8% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,700 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $829 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Missouri Columbia (about $8,862 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $36,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Colorado Boulder (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 17.6% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($13,203 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 100 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $2,383 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($201 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 73%)

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.