University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Missouri State University-Springfield based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 24,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia 17:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia ($17,181 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri State University Springfield are 19.7% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($11,006 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 56.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri State University-Springfield (about $5,335 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $9,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.1% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Missouri State University Springfield (about $17,286 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $18,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at Missouri State University Springfield (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 50.5% larger than aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students ($13,203 vs. $8,770).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 University of Missouri-Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 90 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Missouri State University-Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Missouri State University Springfield's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $617 lower median loan debt than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($21,883 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($226 vs. $232).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri State University-Springfield students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 67%)

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.