Kentucky vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Missouri State University Springfield in Springfield, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Missouri State University-Springfield based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 24,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri State University Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

Kentucky vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield than Kentucky ($17,181 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri State University Springfield are 31.3% lower than at University of Kentucky ($11,006 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 42.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri State University-Springfield (about $4,000 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $9,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.9% higher at Kentucky than at Missouri State University Springfield (about $15,370 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $18,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Missouri State University Springfield (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students ($12,898 vs. $8,770).

Kentucky vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 30 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Missouri State University-Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Missouri State University-Springfield (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

Kentucky vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Missouri State University Springfield's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri State University Springfield graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Missouri State University-Springfield graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($232 vs. $235).
• More Missouri State University-Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 62%)

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.