CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO 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 Colorado Boulder is larger than University of Missouri-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 14,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Missouri Kansas City is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Missouri Kansas City 13:1.

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 Missouri Kansas City than CU Boulder ($14,748 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Kansas City are 16.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($15,452 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 24.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Kansas City (about $3,079 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $12,587.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Missouri Kansas City (about $14,691 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $30,227.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than at University of Colorado Boulder (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 2.2% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students ($11,225 vs. $10,982).

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Kansas City (1420) is 80 points higher than at CU Boulder (1340).
• Incoming CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Missouri Kansas City 1290/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Missouri Kansas City 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; University of Missouri-Kansas City - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; University of Missouri-Kansas City Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (3.54).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than University of Missouri-Kansas City (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 30.1% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Missouri Kansas City's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Kansas City students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.