University of Missouri-Columbia
#9 Best Communications Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 76% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,403 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,268 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.6 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Communications Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $19.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,510,027.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 55% more than the national college median.
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A 76% graduation rate — 32% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Missouri-Columbia Matters
University of Missouri-Columbia is a public research university in Columbia, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 23,929
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Communications
Why students choose University of Missouri-Columbia
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1150–1330. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,268 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,403 ten years after enrolling — 55% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.72 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 24,000 students, the University of Missouri-Columbia caters to a diverse range of learners looking for solid programs in fields like Business, Health Professions, Communications, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. The acceptance rate of 78% means that many students find a place here, making it accessible for a wide variety of applicants. This school is a great fit if you're interested in a sizable campus environment where you can engage with a variety of academic disciplines and extracurricular activities.
Looking at life after graduation, the earnings for alumni ten years after completing their degrees average around $63,403. This figure is important because it reflects the potential return on investment for students. With a graduation rate of 76%, most students do find their way to graduation, which can significantly enhance employability and earning power. It’s worth noting that the financial aid landscape includes a Pell Grant rate of 20%, which can help lower the overall cost for eligible students.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at approximately $20,268, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is about $20,500, suggesting that students are graduating with a debt load that is fairly typical for a public university. Those who thrive here often take advantage of the school’s strong support systems and community involvement, which can help them navigate both their studies and future career paths effectively.
Rankings
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in Missouri
- #18 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #19 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #19 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #20 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
- #23 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
- #27 Best Business Colleges in Missouri
- #27 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Missouri-Columbia is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Missouri-Columbia? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Missouri-Columbia, located in Columbia, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,247. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1247
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1150–1330
- ACT Range
- 23–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 79%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,563
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.36
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 20,303
- Admitted
- 16,065
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Missouri-Columbia is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 31% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 31%
- of admits enroll
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Missouri-Columbia? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Missouri-Columbia is $36,056, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,268. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,841 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,837
- Out-of-State
- $36,056
- Avg Net Price
- $20,268
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 35%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,841
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,378
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,722
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,304
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Missouri-Columbia — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Missouri-Columbia Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Missouri-Columbia earn a median of $63,403, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,756
- 8 Years
- $58,213
- 10 Years
- $63,403
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (3,228)
- 50%
- 100% (3,228)
- 50%
- 100% (3,228)
- 50%
- 100% (3,228)
- 50%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Missouri-Columbia Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Missouri-Columbia delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,268/year ($81,072 total). Graduates earn $63,403 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,591,099 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,510,027 (19.6× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 76% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $81,072
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,591,099
- Net Return
- $1,510,027
- ROI Multiple
- 19.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,268
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $4,752,805
Top Programs
The fields University of Missouri-Columbia awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $58,093 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $67,805 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $75,647 early-career
- Communications 7% $45,385 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $54,296 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $35,702 early-career
- Psychology 5% $35,414 early-career
- Engineering 5% $83,051 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Missouri-Columbia's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Missouri-Columbia? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Missouri-Columbia, located in Columbia, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,247. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Missouri-Columbia? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Missouri-Columbia is $36,056, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,268. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,841 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Missouri-Columbia earn a median of $63,403, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Missouri-Columbia? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Missouri-Columbia. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Missouri-Columbia offer Early Decision?
No. University of Missouri-Columbia does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Missouri-Columbia?
About 31% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Missouri-Columbia — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare University of Missouri-Columbia
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- University of IowaIowa City, IA · Close peer74% grad $64,762 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · Close peer75% grad $63,126 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR · Close peer70% grad $64,010 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer75% grad $63,727 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Missouri-Columbia? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Missouri-Columbia. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note