University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Southeast Missouri State University

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

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
Location Columbia, MO Cape Girardeau, MO
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 31,013 9,686
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #274 #954
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website missouri.edu semo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
Tuition (In State) $13,008 $8,152
Tuition (Out of State) $33,216 $8,152
Room & Board $13,550 $11,486
Avg Net Price $20,006 $14,843
Avg Grant Aid $11,734 $8,974
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 93%

Admission

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,669 7,462
Admitted 16,690 5,858
Acceptance Rate 77% 78.5%
Enrolled % 30.8% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 16/21
SAT Range 1150/1330 850/1030
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 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
Graduation Rate 69% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,883 $22,527
Median Loan Payment $226 $232

Diversity

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
% Men 9% 8%
% Women 15% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 4% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

University of Missouri-Columbia Southeast Missouri State University
% In-State 66% 76%
% Out-of-State 33% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Missouri Columbia is larger than than Southeast Missouri State University based on total student enrollment (31,013 students vs. 9,686 students)

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

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

  • University of Missouri Columbia is 59.6% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($13,008.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 307.5% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than Southeast Missouri State University ($33,216.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southeast Missouri State University than University of Missouri-Columbia ($14,843 vs. $20,006)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeast Missouri State University are 18% lower than costs at University of Missouri Columbia ($11,486 vs. $13,550)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southeast Missouri State University than University of Missouri Columbia (93% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 30.8% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($11,734 vs. $8,974)

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Missouri Columbia (1203) is 153 points higher than at Southeast Missouri State University (1050)
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Southeast Missouri State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Southeast Missouri State University (3.53)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (77%)

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

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

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is higher than Southeast Missouri State University (69% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn on average $13,700 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates after ten years. ($54,200 vs. $40,500)
  • University of Missouri Columbia students graduate with a $644 lower median federal student loan debt than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($21,883 vs. $22,527)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($226 vs. $232)
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeast Missouri State University 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/