UIC vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than University of Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 31,543 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

UIC vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or University of Missouri-Columbia? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois Chicago than University of Missouri-Columbia ($10,852 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Missouri Columbia are 17% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,700 vs. $16,500).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $499 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $6,172 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Illinois Chicago (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 26.9% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($16,755 vs. $13,203).

UIC vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC or University of Missouri-Columbia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Missouri-Columbia and UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is the same as at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming UIC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UIC (3.41).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

UIC vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and University of Missouri-Columbia? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $3,133 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($193 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.