Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kansas City, Missouri
75% Acceptance Rate
University of Missouri-Kansas City — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
75%Acceptance Rate
3.54Avg GPA
1230Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$24,645Annual Cost
$59,637Grad Salary
25%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
75%
Avg GPA
3.54
Avg SAT
1230
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1540
ACT Middle 50%
21–29
Avg Net Price
$12,837
Need-Based Aid
25% receive Pell
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, established in 1929, is a public research university and member of the University of Missouri System. UMKC offers 125+ degree programs across 14 schools, with particular strengths in health sciences, law, and performing arts. The university's urban campus features the Health Sciences Building, the Bloch School of Management, and the Conservatory of Music and Dance. UMKC is classified as a 'Doctoral University: High Research Activity' with strong community partnerships.
UMKC's location in Missouri's largest city provides internship opportunities with major corporations, healthcare systems, and cultural institutions. The Kangaroos compete in NCAA Division I athletics in the Summit League. The university's Innovation Center supports student entrepreneurship, while its Dental Clinic serves the community. UMKC's Institute for Urban Education addresses critical teacher shortages in urban schools.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Acceptance Rate
At 75%, admission to University of Missouri-Kansas City is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 75% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.09
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Missouri-Kansas City Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Missouri-Kansas City follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Missouri-Kansas City reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
November 15
Priority
January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/11/15 (automatic scholarships); 2026/02/01 (competitive priority); 2026/03/15 (competitive final)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Missouri-Kansas City GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Missouri-Kansas City is 3.54. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.24 and 3.54? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.74–3.94.University of Missouri-Kansas City GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.14 – 3.33
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.13
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional/flexible for general first-year admission with a 2.75 UM-system core GPA threshold; no personal essay or recommendation letter required for general admission.
- Six-year BA/MD program (one of fewer than five such programs nationally) has its own separate application, required 500-word essay, interview, and November 1 deadline; clinical exposure begins within the first month.
- "Competitive admission" category covers Architecture/Urban Planning/Design, Conservatory, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law - each with distinct, additional requirements beyond general admission.
- Primarily a commuter campus with limited traditional campus-life atmosphere per student accounts; Kansas City's only NCAA Division I university, competing in 14 sports.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Missouri-Kansas City
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Missouri-Kansas City's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Missouri-Kansas City is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Missouri-Kansas City Without SAT or ACT?
University of Missouri-Kansas City considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Average SAT Score: 1230
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Missouri-Kansas City is 1230 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1230 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1540 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Missouri-Kansas City allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1150, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 685 | 580 | 790 |
| SAT Reading | 660 | 570 | 750 |
| SAT Composite | 1230 | 1150 | 1540 |
Below 1150, you're behind most admitted students; at 1540 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into University of Missouri-Kansas City with a 1550 SAT?
A 1550 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Missouri-Kansas City's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Missouri-Kansas City ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of Missouri-Kansas City is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT English | 25 | 20 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 21 | 29 |
Can I get into University of Missouri-Kansas City with a 29 ACT?
A 29 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of Missouri-Kansas City's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Missouri-Kansas City
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into University of Missouri-Kansas City isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Confirm whether a student's target program falls under "competitive admission" before assuming general process applies
UMKC explicitly separates general freshman admission from "competitive admission" programs - Architecture/Urban Planning/Design, the Conservatory, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law - each with its own distinct requirements layered on top of standard admission. Identify a student's intended program against this specific list early, since assuming UMKC's generally accessible reputation applies uniformly across every track is a common and avoidable mistake.
For BA/MD-track students, build the application around UMKC's distinct, separate process from day one
UMKC's six-year BA/MD program - one of fewer than five such programs in the country - requires its own application (not the Common App), a required 500-word essay, short-answer questions, up to 10 listed health and 10 other activities, and a required interview, all due by November 1. Clinical exposure begins within the first month of the program, so students need to demonstrate genuine, specific commitment to medicine well before typical pre-med applicants would need to, given the program folds undergraduate and medical training into a single accelerated track.
Skip essay prep for general admission, redirect it toward program-specific competitive tracks
UMKC does not require a personal essay or letter of recommendation for general first-year admission, and offers test-optional/flexible admission for applicants meeting a 2.75 UM-system core GPA. Confirm a student's GPA against this threshold and direct any essay-writing effort toward competitive programs (Nursing, Conservatory, BA/MD) where essays and interviews are genuinely part of the review, rather than a general application that doesn't require them.
Use the Conservatory of Music and Dance and the BA/MD program as UMKC's genuine, named differentiators
Beyond its accessible general admission, UMKC's standout, citable strengths include the Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which has helped students launch dozens of real ventures - concrete details that distinguish UMKC from generic "affordable regional public" framing. Encourage relevant students to name these specific programs rather than describing UMKC only by its accessibility.
Expert Insight:
Families researching UMKC as a "safety school" based on its accessible general acceptance rate (roughly 68-74% depending on source) should understand that several of its most distinctive and prestigious programs - Conservatory, BA/MD, Nursing, Architecture - are genuinely competitive secondary admissions processes with their own essays, interviews, and auditions, unrelated to the general university acceptance rate.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Profile
Full Name
University of Missouri-Kansas City
City
Kansas City
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
64110
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Missouri-Kansas City Degree Worth It?
University of Missouri-Kansas City offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.15%.
How much does a degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost?
The sticker price is $24,645/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $12,837.
25% of students receive a Pell Grant and 24.4% take federal loans at University of Missouri-Kansas City — file your FAFSA early and list University of Missouri-Kansas City as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,637 — about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Missouri-Kansas City. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Missouri-Kansas City. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Missouri-Kansas City. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
Degree Programs at University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Missouri-Kansas City run about $59,637 a year.
At about $24,645 a year, University of Missouri-Kansas City is on the more affordable end.
University of Missouri-Kansas City's Pell Grant rate of 25.0% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 75%, University of Missouri-Kansas City's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Missouri-Kansas City average a 3.54 GPA.
University of Missouri-Kansas City doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.24 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.14, University of Missouri-Kansas City becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Missouri-Kansas City — aim above 1230, ideally within the 1150–1540 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Missouri-Kansas City is November 15 for Priority applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2025/11/15 (automatic scholarships); 2026/02/01 (competitive priority); 2026/03/15 (competitive final). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Missouri Colleges
Average SAT Score of Missouri Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Missouri
Bachelor Programs in Missouri
Test Optional Colleges in Missouri
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Missouri