Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Arkansas vs University of Missouri-Columbia
- Arkansas Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 16
- Missouri-Columbia Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Arkansas offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Missouri-Columbia achieves a higher graduation rate (76% vs 70%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $20,268 compared to University of Arkansas's $18,209. Students who choose University of Arkansas benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $58,191 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Arkansas
- Lower cost: Average net price of $18,209, roughly $2,059 a year less
- More selective: Admits 74% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Missouri-Columbia
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $63,403 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than University of Arkansas
- Higher grad rate: 76% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Arkansas graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (30% of degrees); Missouri-Columbia in Business & Marketing (18%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Missouri-Columbia over University of Arkansas. Median earnings of $63,403 ten years after enrollment vs $58,191.
Pick University of Arkansas over University of Missouri-Columbia. Net price $18,209 vs $20,268.
Pick University of Missouri-Columbia over University of Arkansas. 76% completion rate vs 70%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Arkansas and University of Missouri-Columbia are close on paper, but University of Missouri-Columbia wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Arkansas is the harder admit. It takes 74% of applicants, while University of Missouri-Columbia takes 78%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,169 to 1,247.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Arkansas sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Arkansas comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $18,209, about $2,059 a year below University of Missouri-Columbia's $20,268. Graduates of University of Missouri-Columbia also borrow less: median debt of $20,500, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $8,236 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Arkansas leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report median earnings of $63,403, compared with $58,191 at University of Arkansas. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Missouri-Columbia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.32x to 0.37x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates a larger share of its students, 76% versus 70%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Arkansas to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Missouri-Columbia for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Arkansas saves about $2,059 a year, yet University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn $5,212 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Arkansas concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while University of Missouri-Columbia leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Missouri-Columbia holds onto its admits more tightly: 31% of admitted students enroll, versus 29% at Arkansas — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR · Public
Nearly 29,000 students call the University of Arkansas home, making it a vibrant hub for academic and social life. With a 74% acceptance rate, it welcomes a diverse array of prospective students, eager to find their niche in a dynamic environment.
The data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights shows that the economic mobility rate is not available, but the university’s graduation rate stands at a solid 70%. Graduates earn an impressive median salary of $58,191 after ten years, indicating a strong return on investment for their education. This suggests that while some students may start in the bottom 20% of income, many find pathways to upward mobility.
With a net price of $18,209 and median debt of $21,500, the University of Arkansas offers a reasonably priced education. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Business, Health Professions, Engineering, Communications, or Biology. The diverse programs cater to a wide range of interests and career goals, ensuring that students find their passion and succeed in their chosen fields.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO · Public
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 They Appear On
University of Arkansas is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Arkansas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 30% of Arkansas's student body and 18% of Missouri-Columbia's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Arkansas) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Missouri-Columbia).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Arkansas is strongest in Engineering, while University of Missouri-Columbia concentrates in Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Arkansas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Arkansas or University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Arkansas is harder to get into, admitting 74% of applicants compared with 78% at University of Missouri-Columbia.
Which is more affordable, University of Arkansas or University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Arkansas is more affordable, with an average net price of $18,209 after aid versus $20,268 at University of Missouri-Columbia.
Do University of Arkansas or University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn more: median earnings of $63,403 ten years after enrollment, versus $58,191 at University of Arkansas.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Arkansas or University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Missouri-Columbia has the higher graduation rate, 76% versus 70%.
Should you choose University of Arkansas or University of Missouri-Columbia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Arkansas if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Missouri-Columbia if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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