University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Nebraska

Deciding between University of Missouri Columbia and University of Nebraska Lincoln? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Missouri Columbia
University of Nebraska Lincoln

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO
  • Nebraska Lincoln, NE
  • Setting
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Midsize City
  • Nebraska Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 31,543
  • Nebraska 24,393
  • Type
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Public 4 Year
  • Nebraska Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Missouri-Columbia #273
  • Nebraska #380
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Missouri-Columbia -
  • Nebraska -
  • Status
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Non-profit
  • Nebraska Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Nebraska
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $14,837
  • Nebraska $10,434
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $36,056
  • Nebraska $28,584
  • Room & Board
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $13,700
  • Nebraska $14,120
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $22,169
  • Nebraska $18,322
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $13,203
  • Nebraska $10,541
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 95%
  • Nebraska 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 24,490
  • Nebraska 17,841
  • Admitted
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 19,218
  • Nebraska 15,609
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 78.5%
  • Nebraska 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 31%
  • Nebraska 29.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 1240
  • Nebraska 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 26
  • Nebraska 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 3.61
  • Nebraska 3.63
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Missouri-Columbia A-
  • Nebraska A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Difficult
  • Nebraska Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Nebraska
  • ACT Range
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 23/30
  • Nebraska 22/28
  • SAT Range
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 1150/1330
  • Nebraska 1098/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Test optional
  • Nebraska Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Nebraska May 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 17:1
  • Nebraska 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Nebraska
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (9%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Agriculture (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 69%
  • Nebraska 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $54,200
  • Nebraska $49,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 73%
  • Nebraska 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $21,883
  • Nebraska $21,700
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Missouri-Columbia $226
  • Nebraska $224
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 44%
  • Nebraska 50%
  • % Women
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 56%
  • Nebraska 50%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Low
  • Nebraska Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Missouri-Columbia No
  • Nebraska No
  • % White
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 79%
  • Nebraska 77%
  • % Asian
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 2%
  • Nebraska 2%
  • % Black
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 8%
  • Nebraska 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 4%
  • Nebraska 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • Nebraska 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • Nebraska 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 3%
  • Nebraska 3%
  • % International
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 4%
  • Nebraska 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 0%
  • Nebraska 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 65%
  • Nebraska 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Missouri-Columbia 34%
  • Nebraska 22%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Nebraska Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Nebraska No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Nebraska Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Missouri-Columbia Yes
  • Nebraska No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Missouri-Columbia No
  • Nebraska Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln than University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,322 vs. $22,169).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 3% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($13,700 vs. $14,120).
  • University of Missouri Columbia is 42.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $4,403 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $10,434.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $7,472 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $28,584.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 25.3% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($13,203 vs. $10,541).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 30 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
  • Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia and Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln's (67%).
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $183 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($21,700 vs. $21,883).
  • Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($224 vs. $226).
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 73%)

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.