KU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

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

KU University of Missouri-Columbia
Location Lawrence, KS Columbia, MO
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 28,406 31,013
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #291 #274
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ku.edu missouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

KU University of Missouri-Columbia
Tuition (In State) $10,596 $13,008
Tuition (Out of State) $28,308 $33,216
Room & Board $10,818 $13,550
Avg Net Price $18,322 $20,006
Avg Grant Aid $10,644 $11,734
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 84%

Admission

KU University of Missouri-Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,226 21,669
Admitted 16,958 16,690
Acceptance Rate 88.2% 77%
Enrolled % 31% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 23/29
SAT Range 1050/1290 1150/1330
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 University of Missouri-Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

KU University of Missouri-Columbia
Graduation Rate 61% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $54,200
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $21,883
Median Loan Payment $211 $226

Diversity

KU University of Missouri-Columbia
% Men 11% 9%
% Women 16% 15%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 7% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

KU University of Missouri-Columbia
% In-State 55% 66%
% Out-of-State 43% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Missouri Columbia is larger than than KU based on total student enrollment (31,013 students vs. 28,406 students)

KU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or University of Missouri-Columbia?

  • University of Missouri Columbia is 22.8% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($13,008.00 vs. $10,596.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.3% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than University of Kansas ($33,216.00 vs. $28,308.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,322 vs. $20,006)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 25.3% lower than costs at University of Missouri Columbia ($10,818 vs. $13,550)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Kansas than University of Missouri Columbia (89% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 10.2% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($11,734 vs. $10,644)

KU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Missouri Columbia (1203) is 58 points higher than at KU (1145)
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at KU (25)
  • Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61)
  • KU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (77%)

KU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KU or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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-Columbia and KU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is higher than University of Kansas (69% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $400 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $54,200)
  • University of Kansas students graduate with a $1,383 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,883)
  • KU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($211 vs. $226)
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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