University of Missouri Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

The University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri — also known as Mizzou — is the largest university in the four-campus University of Missouri system. It offers more than 300 degree programs across 13 major academic divisions, with acclaimed programs in business, health care, and journalism.

Total Cost of Attendance

For the 2024-25 school year, in-state undergraduate Mizzou tuition and fees were $14,837. Out-of-state undergraduate tuition costs $36,056. However, students can expect to pay additional expenses, which are shown in the table below.

Financial Aid

Based on student loan and scholarship information from the National Center for Education Statistics, 78% of students who attend the University of Missouri receive some kind of financial aid. Students received an average award of $11,824 in federal and institutional grants and scholarships. Students who demonstrated exceptional financial need received federal Pell Grants, with an average award of $5,114.

Explore financial aid options: Missouri Student Loans & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Aside from gift-based financial aid, some enrolled students take out loans to cover the University of Missouri’s tuition and expenses. This includes private student loans. At Mizzou, 12% of students on average take out private loans, typically totalling $34,939 at graduation.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The cost of attending any college varies year over year. Based on the University of Missouri tuition for 2024-25, the projected total cost of a four-year degree at Mizzou is $132,180 for in-state students. Out-of-state students can expect to pay quite a bit more: $217,056 for a four-year degree.

For comparison, the average cost of a four-year degree for in-state students at a public institution is $115,360 and $186,920 for out-of-state students, according to College Data. As you see, a Mizzou education can be more expensive than the national average, especially for out of state students.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The cost of tuition, fees, and books for in-state students is $15,832 for the 2024-25 academic year. For out-of-state residents, the total cost is $37,051 per year.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The cost of tuition and fees for Missouri residents attending a Mizzou graduate program in 2024-25 was $13,681 per year. Out-of-state Mizzou graduate students paid $32,581. The average cost of one year of tuition for a master’s degree program for the same time period was $10,320 for a public university and $15,100 for a private nonprofit. Many students at Mizzou can opt for graduate loans to help cover these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost for one credit hour for an undergraduate course for in-state students at Mizzou varies with the program a student is taking, but is typically around $440. The University’s fees are significantly higher for out-of-state students, typically more than twice as much.

Certificates

The MU Extension is the hub for Mizzou’s continuing education programming, which includes a variety of custom training classes, courses, and certifications in a wide range of industries and topics, from coding to supply chain management to veterinary continuing education and more. Prices vary depending on the topic, length of session, etc. For example, a 16-week online, graduate-level class in supply-chain management is $8,190, while other courses, such as language lessons, may be several hundred dollars.

Campus Housing Expenses

*Based on studio pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on University of Missouri’s off-campus housing website in 2025.

First-time students at the University of Missouri are required to live on campus and are assigned to a housing unit based on their Freshman Interest Groups (FIG) and learning community. There are dozens of different housing options for Mizzou students, including double and single community-style dormitories, suites, and apartment-style dwellings. After their first year, undergraduate students can choose to live off-campus.

Explore off-campus living options at Mizzou Off-Campus Housing .

Mizzou Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

Applications open to students on Aug. 1 for the next fall session (so you can start applying on Aug. 1, 2025 to attend Mizzou in the fall of 2026), and the school advises students to apply by Nov. 15 for the best chance at receiving scholarships. Here are the requirements to apply.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Completion of college-preparatory program

•  Test of English as a Foreign language, if needed

Not required, but considered:

•  High school GPA

•  Secondary school rank

SAT and ACT Scores

SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission to the University of Missouri. However, scores are considered for admission, if they’re submitted.

Though there are no required test scores for admissions, here are the scores by subject at the 25th and 75th percentile:

Popular Majors at University of Missouri

Mizzou offers more than 300 degree programs, including professional tracks. Here are the most popular:

1. Business

Students who enter University of Missouri’s business degree program can choose from different concentrations, such as finance and banking, international economics, marketing, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 792

2. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences

The general health sciences major prepares students for a nonclinical career path in medical case management, medical sales, and other roles. Students can select one of four areas of emphasis: health and wellness, leadership and policy, preprofessional, and rehabilitation sciences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 528

3. Journalism

A number of the alumni of Mizzou’s journalism program have gone on to work for major publications and win Pulitzer prizes. Graduates work in a variety of communication-related careers, including media production, audience research, project management, and editing, to name a few.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 461

4. Psychology

The University of Missouri offers two undergraduate degree options in general psychology: A Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences (BA) degree is for students interested in studying human behavior, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences (BS) degree is for students interested in a more science-oriented curriculum.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 358

5. Biology/Biological Sciences

Students who are interested in biological sciences can choose between a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The BS degree requires students to take more biology, chemistry, physics, and math classes. Mizzou biology grads go on to careers in a wide range of fields, including health care, biotech, and education.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 281

6. Nursing

Mizzou offers nursing students three tracks toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, including an accelerated program. With a registered nursing degree, students can work as an acute care nurse, RN, nursing instructor, and clinical nurse specialist.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 247

7. Accounting

Students who enter Mizzou’s accounting program learn about systems, skills, auditing, and corporate finance. Graduates go onto careers as auditors, credit analysts, financial examiners and more. The undergraduate and master’s degree programs are merged into a 150-credit curriculum that prepares students for careers as professional accountants in public accounting, business, or government.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 171

8. Speech Communication and Rhetoric

The speech, language and hearing sciences program at Mizzou offers practical clinical experience in addition to the core in-class curriculum. Grads go onto careers in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 162

9. Political Science and Government

Students in the Mizzou political science program have the option to focus on pre-law, giving them a general orientation for law school. Other political science grads go on to have careers in government, public relations, media, and consulting.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 152

10. Economics

After graduating, Mizzou alumni with an economics degree can get jobs in ​​business, consulting, finance, government, health care, nonprofits, technology, and a variety of other fields, or go on to earn a higher degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 132

Graduation Rate

Students who started at Mizzou in Fall 2017 had an overall graduation rate of 76%:

•  4 years: 56%

•  6 years: 76%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The average annual earnings of University of Missouri graduates is $63,000, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. This prospective salary is somewhat under the national average of $68,516.