University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Missouri Columbia 17:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University than University of Missouri-Columbia ($16,790 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Missouri State University are 10.4% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($12,282 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 39.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest (about $4,226 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $10,611.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.1% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $18,732 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia as at Northwest Missouri State University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 45.1% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($13,203 vs. $9,101).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia or Northwest? 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 Northwest and University of Missouri-Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 160 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia and Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $3,117 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($21,883 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($226 vs. $258).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.