CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Should I go to University of Colorado Boulder or University of Missouri Columbia? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Columbia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Colorado State CU Denver DU Colorado School of Mines Utah UCCS University of Missouri-Kansas City Iowa Truman State Penn State ASU Arkansas
University of Colorado Boulder vs. University of Missouri Columbia comparison
University of Colorado Boulder University of Missouri Columbia College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Boulder University of Missouri Columbia
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
Location Boulder, CO Columbia, MO
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 39,585 31,304
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #191 #278
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colorado.edu missouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
Tuition (In State) $11,520 $10,452
Tuition (Out of State) $38,770 $30,441
Room & Board $16,146 $10,890
Avg Net Price $21,836 $19,889
Avg Grant Aid $10,477 $11,545
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 87%

Admission

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,781 20,303
Admitted 43,416 16,065
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 79.1%
Enrolled % 16.4% 31%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/32 23/30
SAT Range 1160/1390 1140/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
Graduation Rate 68% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $54,200
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,883
Median Loan Payment $201 $226

Diversity

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
% Men 55% 44%
% Women 45% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 79%
% Black 2% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
% In-State 53% 70%
% Out-of-State 45% 30%

Campus

CU Boulder University of Missouri-Columbia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (39,585 students vs. 31,304 students)

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Columbia?

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 10.2% more expensive to attend than University of Missouri-Columbia for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $10,452.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.4% higher at CU Boulder than University of Missouri Columbia ($38,770.00 vs. $30,441.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Missouri Columbia than CU Boulder ($19,889 vs. $21,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 48.3% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($10,890 vs. $16,146)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than University of Colorado Boulder (87% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 10.2% larger than aid received University of Colorado Boulder ($11,545 vs. $10,477)

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Columbia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Missouri-Columbia or CU Boulder .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Boulder (1212) is 9 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1203)
  • Incoming CU Boulder students have at the same average ACT score (27) as students at University of Missouri-Columbia (27)
  • Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61)
  • CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (80.7%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (79.1%)

CU Boulder vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Boulder or University of Missouri-Columbia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Missouri-Columbia and CU Boulder.

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is higher than University of Colorado Boulder (69% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn on average $2,700 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $54,200)
  • University of Colorado Boulder students graduate with a $2,383 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,883)
  • CU Boulder graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates. ($201 vs. $226)
  • More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/