University of Missouri-Kansas City
#7 Best Engineering Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,637 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,310 C+
- 22% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 27.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.6 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Engineering Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $27.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,414,569.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 46% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $27.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Missouri-Kansas City Matters
University of Missouri-Kansas City is a public research university in Kansas City, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base 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
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 6,817
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Engineering
Why students choose University of Missouri-Kansas City
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 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1290–1550. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,310 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,637 ten years after enrolling — 46% above the typical college, against $18,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.52 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, we're looking at a school that fits students who appreciate a diverse range of programs and a welcoming campus environment. With an enrollment of 6,817, this public university stands out for its solid offerings in fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 72% suggests that it values a broad applicant pool, making it accessible for many students eager to find their niche.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $59,637 a decade into their careers. This number reflects the potential for upward mobility, especially in fields like engineering and health professions, where demand continues to grow. While 26% of students rely on Pell Grants, the affordability factor is significant here, allowing graduates to step into the workforce with manageable financial burdens.
When we look at the practical side, the net price after aid comes to about $13,310, which is reasonable for a public institution. With a median debt of $18,750, many students find themselves in a position to thrive financially after graduation. Those who tend to succeed here often appreciate a community-oriented atmosphere and are driven to make the most of their educational opportunities.
Rankings
- #7 Best Engineering Colleges in Missouri
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Missouri
- #16 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
- #19 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #19 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
- #19 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #20 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #22 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Missouri-Kansas City 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-Kansas City? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Missouri-Kansas City, located in Kansas City, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- SAT Average
- 1204
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1290–1550
- ACT Range
- 20–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,063
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 5,180
- Admitted
- 3,599
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-Kansas City? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Missouri-Kansas City is $30,227, 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 $13,310. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,576 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,587
- Out-of-State
- $30,227
- Avg Net Price
- $13,310
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 24%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,576
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,472
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,613
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,877
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Missouri-Kansas City Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Missouri-Kansas City earn a median of $59,637, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,298
- 8 Years
- $53,412
- 10 Years
- $59,637
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (287)
- 27%
- 100% (287)
- 27%
- 100% (287)
- 27%
- 100% (287)
- 27%
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-Kansas City Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Missouri-Kansas City delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,310/year ($53,240 total). Graduates earn $59,637 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,467,809 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,414,569 (27.6× your investment). The median debt is $18,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $53,240
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,467,809
- Net Return
- $1,414,569
- ROI Multiple
- 27.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,310
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields University of Missouri-Kansas City awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Health Professions 11%
- Biology & Biomedical 11%
- Engineering 7%
- Psychology 7%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Humanities 7%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Missouri-Kansas City'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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Missouri-Kansas City? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Missouri-Kansas City, located in Kansas City, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Missouri-Kansas City? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Missouri-Kansas City is $30,227, 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 $13,310. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,576 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
Is University of Missouri-Kansas City Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Missouri-Kansas City earn a median of $59,637, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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-Kansas City. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Missouri-Kansas City.
- Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT · Close peer49% grad $58,562 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · Close peer63% grad $61,767 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of IdahoMoscow, ID · Close peer59% grad $54,670 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · Close peer49% grad $57,808 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winona State UniversityWinona, MN · Close peer59% grad $58,532 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY · Close peer56% grad $54,496 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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-Kansas City. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note