Colleges in Columbia, Missouri
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Columbia, Missouri (2 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $21,492 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 56.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 78% of applicants.
The median net price in Columbia runs about $3,894 higher than the Missouri statewide median of $17,598.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Columbia, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$21,492
After aid
Median grad rate
56.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
78%
Median enrollment
2,671
Undergrad
All colleges in Columbia
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO | MO | Public, 4-year | $20,268 | 74.9% | 78% | 23,929 | Complete | |
| Columbia College Columbia, MO | MO | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $22,715 | 42.2% | Not available | 4,950 | Complete | |
| Stephens College Columbia, MO | MO | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $23,459 | 42.7% | 77% | 391 | Complete | |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Missouri Columbia Columbia, MO | MO | Private for-profit, <2-year | $13,460 | 69.4% | Not available | 107 | Partial |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Columbia are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Columbia CollegeNet price: $22,715Grad: 42.2%
- Stephens CollegeNet price: $23,459Grad: 42.7%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Columbia operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Paul Mitchell the School-Missouri ColumbiaNet price: $13,460Grad: 69.4%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Columbia are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaNet price: $20,268Grad: 74.9%
Top programs in Columbia
Most-completed programs across Columbia colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business19.8% of degrees
- Area & ethnic studies13.1% of degrees
- Health professions11.1% of degrees
- Communication6.0% of degrees
- Computer science5.2% of degrees
- Liberal arts5.0% of degrees
- Psychology4.8% of degrees
- Social sciences4.8% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Columbia
Q.How many colleges are in Columbia, Missouri?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Columbia, Missouri that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Columbia?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of Missouri-Columbia is the largest institution in Columbia with roughly 23,929 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Columbia?
Based on average net price after aid, Paul Mitchell the School-Missouri Columbia is the most affordable institution in Columbia at $13,460 per year.
Q.Which Columbia college has the highest graduation rate?
University of Missouri-Columbia reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Columbia institutions at 74.9%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Columbia?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Columbia is $21,492 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Columbia?
Across Columbia colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Area & ethnic studies, Health professions.
Q.Are there community colleges in Columbia?
Yes — Columbia includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Missouri
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Columbia that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.