CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Should I go to University of Colorado Boulder or University of Missouri Kansas City? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Kansas City is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Colorado State CU Denver DU Colorado School of Mines Utah UCCS University of Missouri-Columbia WSU Penn State ASU IU MSU
University of Colorado Boulder vs. University of Missouri Kansas City comparison
University of Colorado Boulder University of Missouri Kansas City College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Boulder University of Missouri Kansas City
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
Location Boulder, CO Kansas City, MO
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 39,585 15,703
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #191 #265
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colorado.edu umkc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tuition (In State) $11,520 $9,332
Tuition (Out of State) $38,770 $25,805
Room & Board $16,146 $12,262
Avg Net Price $21,836 $14,739
Avg Grant Aid $10,477 $8,376
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 93%

Admission

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,781 5,180
Admitted 43,416 3,599
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 69.5%
Enrolled % 16.4% 32.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/32 21/30
SAT Range 1160/1390 1245/1550
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jun 15, 2025

Academics

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
Graduation Rate 68% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $55,100
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $217

Diversity

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
% Men 55% 42%
% Women 45% 58%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 58%
% Black 2% 15%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
% In-State 53% 69%
% Out-of-State 45% 27%

Campus

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Kansas City
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than University of Missouri-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (39,585 students vs. 15,703 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Kansas City?

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 23.4% more expensive to attend than University of Missouri-Kansas City for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $9,332.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.2% higher at CU Boulder than University of Missouri Kansas City ($38,770.00 vs. $25,805.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Missouri Kansas City than CU Boulder ($14,739 vs. $21,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Kansas City are 31.7% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($12,262 vs. $16,146)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than University of Colorado Boulder (93% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 25.1% larger than aid received University of Missouri Kansas City ($10,477 vs. $8,376)

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Kansas City? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Missouri-Kansas City or CU Boulder .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Boulder (1212) is 82 points higher than at University of Missouri-Kansas City (1130)
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (25)
  • 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 (80.7%) than University of Missouri-Kansas City (69.5%)

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

Which is better, CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Kansas City? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Missouri-Kansas City and CU Boulder.

  • The graduation rate at CU Boulder is higher than University of Missouri Kansas City (68% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn on average $1,800 more per year than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $55,100)
  • University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,000)
  • CU Boulder graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans 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/