M
#4 Best Public Universities in Missouri

University of Missouri-Columbia Admission Requirements

Columbia, Missouri

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into University of Missouri Columbia

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

79.1%
Admission Difficulty for University of Missouri Columbia
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is 79.1%.  Its admission rate is the 28th lowest in Missouri.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into University of Missouri-Columbia and can you get accepted?

University of Missouri Columbia is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 16,065 out of the 20,303 who applied were admitted.

University of Missouri Columbia typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.61. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into University of Missouri-Columbia?

79% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Missouri Columbia you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.61 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1240 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

University of Missouri-Columbia GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.61*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Missouri Columbia?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into University of Missouri-Columbia are to have around a 3.61 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.61 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as University of Missouri-Columbia accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at University of Missouri-Columbia is 3.61 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #12 in Missouri for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since University of Missouri-Columbia is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.61 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

University of Missouri-Columbia SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Missouri Columbia. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 9% of students submitted SAT scores and 69% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT 

9%
SAT Scores for University of Missouri Columbia
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 560
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for University of Missouri Columbia
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 670
Math 75th Percentile 670
Composite 75th Percentile 1340
Average SAT Score 1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Missouri Columbia?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at University of Missouri-Columbia is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1340. Students who get into University of Missouri Columbia score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  University of Missouri-Columbia ranks #6 in the state of Missouri for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. University of Missouri-Columbia regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1040, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Missouri Columbia is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1240, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

University of Missouri Columbia admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1340 and Above Good >88%
1240 to 1340 Avg + 79%-88%
1140 to 1240 Avg - 66%-79%
1040 to 1140 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 1040 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

University of Missouri-Columbia ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

69%
ACT Scores for University of Missouri Columbia
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for University of Missouri Columbia
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 31
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into University of Missouri-Columbia?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to University of Missouri-Columbia is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 30.  The school ranks #5 in Missouri for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 69 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Missouri Columbia.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Missouri Columbia is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into University of Missouri-Columbia for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 30 ACT score.

University of Missouri Columbia admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >89%
26 to 30 Avg + 79%-89%
23 to 26 Avg - 68%-79%
20 to 23 Reach 56%-68%
Less than 20 Low <56%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

64% of University of Missouri Columbia freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Missouri Columbia students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 33%
Top 25% of class 64%
Top 50% of class 91%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Missouri Columbia admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,756 8,547 20,303
Accepted 9,482 6,583 16,065
Acceptance Rate 81% 77% 79%
Enrolled 2,832 2,151 4,983
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 30% 33% 31%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Missouri Columbia is $55.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Missouri Columbia and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Missouri Columbia Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Missouri Columbia
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Missouri Columbia is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.61 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1240 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Missouri Columbia often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=178396 IPEDS survey data for University of Missouri Columbia.

Last updated February 24, 2024