Mizzou vs CU-Boulder

Nestled in the heart of Missouri and Colorado, respectively, the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) stand as prominent beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique locations, academic strengths, and student demographics. With Mizzou boasting a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, CU Boulder distinguishes itself with a lower student-to-faculty ratio and a higher graduation rate. Dive into our comprehensive comparison table to explore the nuances that set these two universities apart, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Colorado Boulder	University of Missouri-Columbia
Overview
Location	Boulder, Colorado	Columbia, Missouri
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	79.6%	76.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1170 - 1390	1130 - 1350
ACT range	25 - 31	23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	72.0%
Total number of applicants	54,756	19,966
Total number of admissions given out	43,576	15,283
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,785	4,843
Yield rate	15.6%	31.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,725 Out of state: $55,543	In state: $27,977 Out of state: $46,952
Average net price	$22,532	$18,249
Tuition	In state: $10,728 Out of state: $36,546	In state: $10,017 Out of state: $28,992
Room & board	$15,220	Room/dormitory: $6,710 Meal plan: $3,500
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $9,214	85.0% Average amount $11,312
Students receiving federal student loan	27.0% Average amount $4,986	36.0% Average amount $5,270
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $24,094	8.0% Average amount $16,554

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,886 Men 54.8% Women 45.2%	23,696 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	8,114 Men 57.8% Women 42.2%	7,705 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	48.8%	31.0%
International students	7.1%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	7,500	6,898
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois New York	Missouri Illinois Texas Kansas Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Communication and Journalism Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession	Business Health Professions Ethnic Studies Communication and Journalism Education
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	74.0%	72.5%
Dropout rate	8.6%	26.8%
Transferred out	15.9%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,752 Year 2: $116,679 Year 3: $121,033 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $118,373 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,907 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $108,458 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,254 Year 2: $89,641 Year 3: $97,860 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,200 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $92,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,191 Year 2: $80,503 Year 3: $87,258 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,023 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $86,676 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,804 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $85,563 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,633 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $85,039 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,440 Year 2: $71,957 Year 3: $83,132	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,333 Year 2: $100,008 Year 3: $104,573 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,087 Year 2: $80,628 Year 3: $96,108 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $93,226 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,803 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,805 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,511 Year 2: $81,210 Year 3: $81,536 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,866 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $79,864 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,895 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $79,424 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,907 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $78,960 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,579 Year 2: $69,897 Year 3: $78,050 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,571 Year 2: $66,004 Year 3: $74,926

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder)?

Mizzou is a large, public university known for its strong journalism program and traditional college town atmosphere. CU Boulder, also a large public university, is renowned for its aerospace engineering, environmental science programs, and its location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, offering a more outdoorsy lifestyle. Mizzou is generally considered to have a lower cost of attendance, while CU Boulder may offer more opportunities in tech and aerospace industries post-graduation.
Which university is better for journalism and communications?

Mizzou is widely recognized for its exceptional School of Journalism, often considered one of the best in the nation. While CU Boulder has a solid journalism program, Mizzou's reputation and resources in this field are generally stronger.
Which university is stronger in STEM fields, particularly engineering and sciences?

CU Boulder is generally considered stronger in STEM fields, especially aerospace engineering, physics, and environmental sciences. They have significant research facilities and partnerships in these areas. Mizzou has strong STEM programs as well, particularly in agriculture and biological sciences, but CU Boulder's overall STEM reputation is higher.
How do the campus environments and student life differ between Mizzou and CU Boulder?

Mizzou offers a classic, traditional college town experience with a strong emphasis on school spirit and SEC athletics. CU Boulder has a more outdoorsy and active student body, influenced by its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Boulder is a more liberal and progressive city compared to Columbia, Missouri, which is more politically moderate.
What are the typical costs of attending Mizzou versus CU Boulder?

Generally, Mizzou has a lower cost of attendance, especially for in-state students. CU Boulder, particularly for out-of-state students, can be significantly more expensive due to higher tuition and cost of living in Boulder. Be sure to check the latest tuition and fees on each university's website for the most accurate information.
Which university is located in a more urban environment?

Neither university is located in a major metropolitan area. However, Boulder is closer to Denver, a large city, providing easier access to urban amenities and job opportunities. Columbia, Missouri, is a smaller city and more isolated.
How do the acceptance rates compare between Mizzou and CU Boulder?

Mizzou generally has a higher acceptance rate than CU Boulder, making it somewhat easier to get into. CU Boulder's location and strong programs attract a larger and more competitive applicant pool.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both Mizzou and CU Boulder are research universities. However, CU Boulder has a slightly stronger emphasis on research, particularly in STEM fields, and receives significant federal funding for its research initiatives.
What are the advantages of attending Mizzou?

Mizzou offers a strong sense of community, a highly regarded journalism program, a lower cost of attendance, and a traditional college experience. It's a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in a classic college town setting.
What are the advantages of attending CU Boulder?

CU Boulder provides access to top-tier STEM programs, particularly in aerospace and environmental sciences, a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, and proximity to Denver's job market. It's an excellent choice for students interested in technology, science, and outdoor recreation.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both universities offer career services and internship support. CU Boulder benefits from its proximity to the Denver tech and aerospace industries, potentially offering more opportunities in those fields. Mizzou has strong connections within the media and communications industries, particularly in the Midwest.
Are there any notable differences in the diversity of the student body?

While both universities strive for diversity, Mizzou's student body is generally more representative of the Midwest, while CU Boulder attracts students from across the country and internationally, potentially leading to a slightly more geographically diverse student population. Check the university websites for the latest diversity statistics.

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