University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 31,543 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Missouri Columbia 17:1; University of Houston 22:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or UH? 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 University of Houston than University of Missouri-Columbia ($14,309 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 17.6% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($11,286 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 52.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $5,120 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Houston (about $13,509 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Houston (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 8.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($13,203 vs. $12,159).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 10 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UH (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UH (3.46).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 26.5% at UH.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $2,133 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($204 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

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.