University of Kansas vs University of Missouri

Mansi parihar logo

Mansi parihar Study Abroad Course Expert

Study Abroad Course Expert

The University of Kansas (KU) at Lawrence is the research flagship university of Kansas with approximately 27,000 students. Admissions are fairly selective with an acceptance rate of ~88%. The most popular courses are Pharmacy, Business, Journalism, Engineering, and Education. The six-year graduation rate at KU stands at ~65% and the median salary of graduates is INR 45–50 lakhs per annum (?$55,000–62,000).

The University of Missouri (Mizzou), which is in Columbia, is the state's largest public university with approximately 31,000 students. It has an acceptance rate of approximately 77–80%, thus being more selective than KU. Mizzou is very good in Journalism, Business, Agriculture, Engineering, and Health Professions. It has a six-year graduation rate of approximately ~70% and median alumni earnings of around INR 48–52 lakhs per year (?$58,000–65,000 ten years after graduation).

Overview Comparison
University of KansasUniversity of Missouri
Collegedunia Score4.9 Out of 104.2 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 351 Times Higher Education 2026
# 465 QS World University 2026
# 226 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 501 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1001 QS World University 2026
# 710 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 120 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 251 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 50 for Law by US News 2025
# 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 99 for Law by US News 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -143
PG Programs -55
Doctorate Programs -8
UG Programs -72
PG Programs -38
Acceptance Rate88.0 %78.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
TOEFL-80
Duolingo-115
IELTS-6.5
PTE-59
TOEFL-80
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   27378
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  30720
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 23622 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   25011
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  31272
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 15008 Per Year
placement (average package)

The school of business has an avarage salary of $58,468. The average salary for Master of accounting graduates is $60, 969.  The average salary for business administration and management program graduates is $55,911. 


application requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit LORs

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

-
Campuses and B-SchoolsUniversity of Kansas Medical Center
NA
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 3 reviews-

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 72 for Business by US News 2025
# 251 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 201 for Business by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021
application--
exam scoresDuolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 80/120Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6/9TOEFL - 79/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -45029Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -31272
application datesMay 1, 2025 (Application Deadline for 2025 Intake)
Aug 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2024 Intake)
Dec 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake)
May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake)
Aug 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of KansasUniversity of Missouri
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1866
1839
Student:Faculty Ratio17:1
:1
Male:Female51% Male, 49% Female55% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

University's main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. Two branch campuses are in the Kansas City metropolitan area on the Kansas side: the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.



Library

The University of Kansas Libraries transform lives by inspiring the discovery and creation of knowledge for the university and the global community. There are various libraries like the main library, law library, medical library etc.



Campus Life

The campus experience looks different for everyone. But the university provides all Jayhawks with the essentials: convenient amenities and resources committed to their health and well-being. Beyond the classroom, you’ll find countless opportunities to build leadership skills, broaden your interests, and deepen your connections across campus. University has 500+ student organizations which the students can join and more than 25 housing sites that provides residence facilities to the students on campus. Campus also provides various dining facilities to the students and various health and counselling services are also provided by the university.  The athletic team of the university competes in various leagues and in different sports like basketball, football, hockey etc. 



Hostel#On campus - $10276
#Off campus (not with family) - $10276
#Off campus (with family) - $3070
-
Famous Alumni

Frank Rowland, awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Vernon Smith, awarded the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics
Juan Manuel Santos, Former President of Colombia, elected in 2010; Nobel Peace Prize winner (2016)

Gina Adams, textile artist and professor
Wendall Anschutz, bachelors and masters in communications, long time KCTV news anchor
Sanora Babb, novelist, best known for An Owl on Every Post and Whose Names Are Unknown



City Life

The City of Lawrence is located in Essex County.  It is bordered on the north by the City of Methuen, on the west and southwest by the Town of Andover, and on the east and southeast by the Town of North Andover.   Incorporated as a city in 1853, Lawrence has a population of 76,377 (2010 U. S. Bureau of the Census) and occupies a land area of approximately 6.75 square miles.  The cities of Lawrence and Haverhill are the population centers of a Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) of approximately 230,000 persons.  Known as the "Immigrant City," Lawrence has always been a multi-ethnic and multicultural gateway city with a high percentage of foreign-born residents. Lawrence was originally planned and laid out as a commercial and industrial center and it maintains this character to the present day.  Today, Lawrence is a diversified industrial city.  Services are the primary economic pursuit followed by manufacturing. According to the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training's preliminary data, in May 2020, the City had a total estimated labor force of 38,795 



Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Kansas vs University of Missouri

Subject Strength & Rankings (2025/2026)

Worldwide, KU generally ranks in the Top 350–400, with Mizzou in the Top 400–450. KU is very strong in Pharmacy, Special Education, and Business, while Mizzou is internationally noted for its School of Journalism, which is one of the first and most highly regarded in the world, and excellent Agriculture and Engineering programs.

General Information

KU is the flagship of Kansas, based in Lawrence, with a strong liberal arts and professional school focus. Mizzou, as Missouri’s flagship, is larger, with a major emphasis on research and professional programs. Both are central to their state’s academic reputation, but KU is more compact while Mizzou feels like a large, vibrant campus hub in Columbia.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

KU has a greater acceptance rate (~88%) and is somewhat more accessible in general, whereas Mizzou (~77–80%) is more competitive, particularly in selective schools such as Journalism and Engineering. 

Research Impact & Facilities

Both are R1 research universities. KU is strong in medical and pharmaceutical sciences (through its Kansas City medical center), whereas Mizzou is well renowned in journalism, agriculture, and biomedical sciences. Both have large libraries, labs, and industry partnerships.

Cost & Financial Aid

For out-of-state/international students, the tuition ranges $27,000–31,000 annually at both, plus living expenses of about $12,000–15,000 each year. Columbia (Mizzou) is a bit larger but living expenses are similar to Lawrence (KU). Both provide merit as well as need-based scholarships.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Mizzou graduates are particularly well known in journalism, agriculture, and politics due to its heritage in journalism. KU graduates excell in pharmacy, business, and education with better placement in healthcare and corporate jobs. Salaries are equal, although Mizzou graduates in journalism might have the advantage of a more robust alumni network worldwide.