University of Missouri-Columbia Acceptance Rate
Columbia, Missouri · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 21,669
- Admitted
- 16,690
- Yield
- 30.8%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Missouri-Columbia's acceptance rate has fallen from 77.7% in 2014–15 to 77% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 21,163 to 21,669 (+2%) over that period.
Its 77% rate makes University of Missouri-Columbia more selective than about 48% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 32 tracked Missouri schools, it is more selective than about 38%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (79.3% for women vs 74% for men, a 5.3-point gap). University of Missouri-Columbia has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 30.8% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 21,163 | 16,437 | 77.7% | 6,515 |
| 2015–16 | 21,988 | 17,180 | 78.1% | 6,191 |
| 2016–17 | 21,107 | 15,767 | 74.7% | 4,772 |
| 2017–18 | 16,367 | 12,781 | 78.1% | 4,134 |
| 2018–19 | 18,948 | 14,750 | 77.8% | 4,673 |
| 2019–20 | 20,015 | 16,158 | 80.7% | 5,431 |
| 2020–21 | 20,641 | 16,880 | 81.8% | 5,315 |
| 2021–22 | 19,966 | 15,283 | 76.5% | 4,843 |
| 2022–23 | 20,303 | 16,065 | 79.1% | 4,983 |
| 2023–24 | 21,669 | 16,690 | 77% | 5,139 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 12,452 | 9,869 | 79.3% |
| Men | 9,216 | 6,821 | 74% |
| Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 580–670 | 10% |
| SAT Math | 570–660 | |
| ACT Composite | 23–29 | 66% |
How University of Missouri compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Missouri-Columbia's acceptance rate?
University of Missouri-Columbia's acceptance rate is 77% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (16,690 admitted of 21,669 applicants).
Is University of Missouri-Columbia test optional?
University of Missouri-Columbia is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Missouri-Columbia?
University of Missouri-Columbia received 21,669 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 16,690.
What SAT score do you need for University of Missouri-Columbia?
Admitted students at University of Missouri-Columbia typically scored 580–670 on SAT Reading/Writing and 570–660 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Missouri-Columbia getting harder to get into?
University of Missouri-Columbia has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 77.7% in 2014–15 to 77% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://missouri.edu/.