Admit rate has ranged 64%–76% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a public university in Warrensburg, MO, known for its practical, career-focused programs and a notably accessible admissions process. With a 64% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on experiential learning, UCM attracts students seeking affordable, hands-on education—particularly in aviation, criminal justice, and industrial sciences. Its 21:1 student-faculty ratio and robust scholarship programs make it a pragmatic choice for Missourians and beyond.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
5,648
In-state tuition
$10,050
Out-of-state tuition
$18,600
Top Majors
Aviation, Criminal Justice, Education
Campus Housing
28% on-campus
Gender Balance
63% female, 37% male
Acceptance Rate
63.8%
4-Year Grad Rate
39%
Student-Faculty Ratio
21:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,560
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.4×
Median debt at graduation
$21,000
Graduation rate
54%
First-year retention
74%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
53%
Pell (lower-income) share
58%
First-generation share
33%
Endowment / student
$14,558
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$59,124
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians$58,402
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$58,131
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.35
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
79
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
43.6"
Annual snow
17.2"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
87
Scholarly works
5,047
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.8%
Bottom → top quintile
17%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Central Missouri?
University of Central Missouri's acceptance rate is approximately 64% (Warrensburg, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of Central Missouri cost?
At University of Central Missouri, the average net price (after aid) is about $14,462 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Central Missouri?
University of Central Missouri enrolls approximately 5,648 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Central Missouri located?
University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO.
Admissions
UCM maintains a moderately selective admissions process, accepting 63.8% of applicants (3,603 out of 5,647 in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students have ACT scores between 17–24, and those with a 2.75+ GPA can waive test score requirements entirely. Notably, 97% of students receive financial aid, with an average award of $7,811. The admissions office emphasizes accessibility—its toll-free number (877-SAY-UCMO) and straightforward requirements (minimum 75 ACT composite or equivalent SAT) reflect a commitment to removing barriers.
UCM offers 150+ majors, with standout programs in aviation, criminal justice, and industrial sciences. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio supports smaller class sizes (typically 25–40 students), and experiential learning is a hallmark—think flight simulators for aviation majors and crime-scene labs for forensic science students. Popular majors include education, business, and health professions, but niche offerings like military science leadership and communication disorders carve out unique niches. Faculty are industry veterans, and programs like the MS in Industrial Management boast graduation rates between 68–90%.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Warrensburg’s campus buzzes with 300+ student organizations, from multicultural groups (hosted at The Center in the Elliott Student Union) to aviation clubs. Only 28% of students live on campus, creating a commuter-heavy vibe, but events like homecoming and intramural sports (72% of students live off-campus) foster community. YouTube tours showcase a leafy, walkable campus with modern facilities, including a student union with dedicated spaces for programming. The gender skew is notable—63% female, 37% male—and just 10% of students come from out-of-state.
UCM’s 4-year graduation rate is 39%, but this jumps to 52.5% when extended to 6 years—typical for regional publics. Alumni median earnings hit $41,593 six years post-graduation, with industrial sciences grads earning ~$61k. The Career and Life Design Center tracks outcomes closely: 68–90% of graduate students in industrial programs complete degrees, and undergrads frequently land jobs in education, healthcare, and manufacturing. Debt levels are manageable, with 75% of borrowers graduating with $25,636 in median debt.
UCM’s net price averages $15,728 after aid, with 97% of students receiving grants or scholarships. The university aggressively promotes affordability—its Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator and Scholarship Finder tools help students cobble together aid packages. In-state tuition is a selling point, and the Alumni Foundation offers dozens of scholarships. For context, the average aid package ($7,811) covers nearly half of the $16,230 in-state tuition, making UCM one of Missouri’s more budget-friendly options.
UCM’s aviation program—one of the Midwest’s best—exemplifies its hands-on ethos, while criminal justice and industrial tech programs leverage partnerships with nearby employers (e.g., Whiteman Air Force Base). The 21:1 ratio ensures faculty know students by name, and the 97% aid rate makes it a steal for practical degrees. It’s unpretentious, heavy on Missourians (90% in-state), and perfect for students who want job-ready skills without Ivy League pretensions.
University of Central Missouri logo · sourceUniversity of Central Missouri UCM Among Missouri's Best Universities · sourceUCM Campus Maps · sourceAbout the University of Central Missouri · source
