University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Missouri Columbia 17:1; William Woods University 16:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia or WWU? 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 Missouri Columbia than WWU ($22,169 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Woods University are 4.7% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($13,050 vs. $13,700).
• William Woods University is 104.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Missouri-Columbia (about $15,503 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $14,837.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at William Woods University (about $5,716 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at University of Missouri Columbia (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 68.2% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($22,204 vs. $13,203).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and University of Missouri-Columbia.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WWU (3.4).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 23.6% at WWU.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than William Woods University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $446 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($21,437 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($221 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WWU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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.