KU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Should I go to University of Kansas or Missouri State University Springfield? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if KU or Missouri State University-Springfield 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.
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University of Kansas vs. Missouri State University Springfield comparison
University of Kansas Missouri State University Springfield College 3 College 4
University of Kansas Missouri State University Springfield
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Overview

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
Location Lawrence, KS Springfield, MO
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 28,406 23,418
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #291 #790
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ku.edu missouristate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
Tuition (In State) $10,596 $7,812
Tuition (Out of State) $28,308 $16,716
Room & Board $10,818 $10,230
Avg Net Price $18,322 $17,104
Avg Grant Aid $10,644 $8,193
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 89%

Admission

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,226 11,901
Admitted 16,958 10,836
Acceptance Rate 88.2% 91.1%
Enrolled % 31% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/25
SAT Range 1050/1290 990/1220
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 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 21:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)

Outcomes

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
Graduation Rate 61% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $42,100
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $211 $232

Diversity

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
% Men 11% 6%
% Women 16% 11%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 81%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 6% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
% In-State 55% 80%
% Out-of-State 43% 15%

Campus

 KU Missouri State University-Springfield
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Kansas is larger than than Missouri State University-Springfield based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 23,418 students)

KU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or Missouri State University-Springfield?

  • University of Kansas is 35.6% more expensive to attend than Missouri State University-Springfield for in-state tuition ($10,596.00 vs. $7,812.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 69.3% higher at KU than Missouri State University Springfield ($28,308.00 vs. $16,716.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri State University Springfield than KU ($17,104 vs. $18,322)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri State University Springfield are 5.7% lower than costs at University of Kansas ($10,230 vs. $10,818)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Kansas as Missouri State University Springfield (89% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 29.9% larger than aid received Missouri State University Springfield ($10,644 vs. $8,193)

KU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 55 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1090)
  • Incoming KU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Missouri State University-Springfield (24)
  • Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at KU (3.66)
  • Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than KU (88.2%)

KU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KU or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and KU.

  • The graduation rate at KU is higher than Missouri State University Springfield (61% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $12,500 more per year than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $42,100)
  • University of Kansas students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,500)
  • KU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates. ($211 vs. $232)
  • More Missouri State University-Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/