Mizzou vs U of K

When it comes to higher education, the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) and the University of Kentucky (UK) stand out as two prominent institutions with distinct characteristics. Mizzou, located in the vibrant city of Columbia, Missouri, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. UK, situated in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky, offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, catering to diverse academic interests. Both universities have strong student bodies, with Mizzou enrolling a slightly larger population. While Mizzou excels in fields like journalism and education, UK shines in engineering and agriculture. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Kentucky	University of Missouri-Columbia
Overview
Location	Lexington, Kentucky	Columbia, Missouri
Campus setting	City: Large	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	86.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	94.0%	76.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1083 - 1330	1130 - 1350
ACT range	22 - 29	23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	10.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	70.0%	72.0%
Total number of applicants	21,695	19,966
Total number of admissions given out	20,396	15,283
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,721	4,843
Yield rate	23.1%	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: $31,690 Out of state: $50,688	In state: $27,977 Out of state: $46,952
Average net price	$20,043	$18,249
Tuition	In state: $11,247 Out of state: $30,245	In state: $10,017 Out of state: $28,992
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,650 Meal plan: $4,536	Room/dormitory: $6,710 Meal plan: $3,500
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $11,623	85.0% Average amount $11,312
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,177	36.0% Average amount $5,270
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $19,204	8.0% Average amount $16,554

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,900 Men 43.1% Women 56.9%	23,696 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	8,490 Men 37.7% Women 62.3%	7,705 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	31.0%
International students	4.0%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	7,294	6,898
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Ohio Illinois Georgia Tennessee	Missouri Illinois Texas Kansas Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Engineering Business Public Administration and Social Service	Business Health Professions Ethnic Studies Communication and Journalism Education
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.2%	72.5%
Dropout rate	30.6%	26.8%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $106,223 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $134,605 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $81,971 Year 2: $114,730 Year 3: $122,422 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $101,348 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $111,861 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $99,330 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $102,019 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,048 Year 2: $93,555 Year 3: $98,399 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $83,128 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,062 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $78,282 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,632 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $76,500 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,089 Year 2: $70,512 Year 3: $74,487 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,465 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $72,801	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 Kentucky (UK)?

Mizzou and UK are both large, public universities in the SEC, but they have distinct characteristics. Mizzou is known for its strong journalism program and a more traditional Midwestern college town feel. UK, on the other hand, is renowned for its basketball program and its location in Lexington, a city known for its horse farms and bourbon distilleries. Academically, while both offer a wide range of programs, Mizzou has a stronger emphasis on agriculture and journalism, while UK excels in health sciences and pharmacy.
Which university, Mizzou or UK, is more affordable?

Generally, Mizzou tends to be slightly more affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students compared to UK. However, tuition and fees can vary depending on your specific program and financial aid package. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and to explore available scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
How do the academic reputations of Mizzou and UK compare?

Both Mizzou and UK are respected public universities. Mizzou is particularly well-regarded for its School of Journalism, while UK is highly ranked for its College of Pharmacy and health science programs. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and the overall academic quality is comparable. Your choice might depend on your specific field of study and the reputation of the program within that field at each university.
What is the campus environment like at Mizzou versus UK?

Mizzou's campus is located in Columbia, Missouri, a classic college town with a vibrant downtown area. The campus itself is known for its beautiful architecture and green spaces. UK's campus is situated in Lexington, Kentucky, a larger city with a more urban feel. While UK has a beautiful campus, it's more integrated into the city. Both universities offer a wide range of student activities, clubs, and organizations, but the overall atmosphere differs slightly due to the surrounding cities.
How do the athletic programs at Mizzou and UK compare?

Both Mizzou and UK are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), so athletics are a big part of campus life. UK is particularly famous for its men's basketball program, which has a long and storied history. Mizzou has strong programs in football, basketball, and wrestling. Both universities offer a wide range of other varsity and intramural sports, providing ample opportunities for students to participate and support their teams.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Mizzou versus UK?

Career opportunities after graduation depend heavily on your major and career goals. Mizzou's location in Missouri provides access to jobs in industries such as agriculture, media, and business. UK's location in Kentucky offers opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and equine industries. Both universities have career services centers that can help students find internships and jobs after graduation. Consider the location and industry strengths of each university when making your decision.
What are the admission requirements for Mizzou and UK?

Admission requirements for both Mizzou and UK typically include a strong high school GPA, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and a well-written application essay. Specific requirements may vary depending on the program you're applying to. It's best to check the official admissions websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information on admission requirements and deadlines.
Which university, Mizzou or UK, has a larger student body?

Mizzou generally has a slightly larger student body compared to UK. This can impact class sizes and the overall campus feel. A larger student body can mean more diverse perspectives and a wider range of activities, while a smaller student body might offer a more close-knit community.
How do the research opportunities compare at Mizzou and UK?

Both Mizzou and UK are research universities with numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UK has a strong focus on medical and pharmaceutical research, while Mizzou has notable research programs in agriculture, journalism, and engineering. The availability of research opportunities will depend on your specific field of study and the faculty members conducting research in that area.
What is the surrounding city like for each university?

Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri, a classic college town with a lively downtown area featuring restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Lexington, Kentucky, where UK is located, is a larger city known for its horse farms, bourbon distilleries, and a more urban atmosphere. Columbia offers a more traditional college town experience, while Lexington provides a blend of city life and Kentucky's unique cultural attractions.

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