Acceptance Rate
78%
Avg. SAT
1330
75th percentile
“Flagship public university with the oldest journalism school in the country and birthplace of college homecoming.”
Columbia, MO
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
The University of Missouri-Columbia, founded in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River, carries a legacy as Missouri's flagship campus and a land-grant institution emphasizing agriculture, engineering, and public service. You'll find students who thrive in a big-school environment—outgoing types who enjoy spirited football games, Greek life, and hands-on learning—amid a sprawling 1,262-acre campus dotted with red-brick buildings and those iconic white Columns. Columbia shapes the experience as a lively college town of about 125,000 people, roughly equidistant from Kansas City and St. Louis, where you can grab barbecue or coffee without big-city hassles, though the Midwest weather brings humid summers and snowy winters.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
Mizzou shines in its Missouri School of Journalism, the oldest and most hands-on program of its kind, where students run a daily newspaper and broadcast from day one, alongside strengths in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and engineering. In classrooms, expect large lectures for intro courses that shrink to seminars later, with faculty who prioritize practical projects over pure theory in many majors. Research opportunities abound at this R1 university, but popular programs like business and computer science fill quickly, so you'll want strong grades early on.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
24,449 undergrad • 7,094 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
76%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
5%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Columbia, MO
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses with SEC football energy, where thousands line up for the pre-game March of the Mizzou Tigers through those famous Columns, followed by tailgates that spill into downtown Columbia bars. A typical week mixes morning classes, club meetings from over 600 groups, and weekend traditions like the lighting of the Columns in black and gold after wins. Greek life draws about 25% of students, fostering close-knit groups, while residential halls range from standard doubles to themed communities; housing guarantees spots for freshmen, but upperclassmen often seek off-campus apartments amid rising local rents.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Southeastern Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
93%
4 Years Graduation Rate
55%
6 Years Graduation Rate
74%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$63,403
93% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Missouri-Columbia and return in the fall. 55% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 74% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
55%
4-5 years
19%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
25%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$10,452
Acceptance
78%
Undergrads
24,449
4-Year Grad Rate
55%
Endowment
$1.4B
Columbia, MO 65211
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