University of Missouri-Kansas City
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $36,131 |
| Tuition & Fees | $17,813 |
| Living Expenses | $18,318 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $15,631 |
Cover Your $15,631 Gap
University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering students typically need $15,631 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Moderate gap — plan ahead
A $15,631/year gap adds up to $31,262 over the full 2-year program. This requires intentional planning but is manageable with the right strategy.
- Contact the financial aid office — many schools offer institutional grants for students with demonstrated need
- Look into graduate assistantships, which often include tuition waivers
- Compare private loan options — rates vary significantly by lender and credit profile
- Consider whether in-state residency (if applicable) would reduce your costs
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for University of Missouri-Kansas City?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering is $36,131 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $72,262.
What is the funding gap for University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering?
The annual funding gap is $15,631, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($36,131) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $31,262. This is below the national median of $21,128 for Engineering (MSE) programs.
Is University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering classified as graduate or professional?
University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering (MSE) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
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Read more →The $257,500 Aggregate Cap Cliff
How the lifetime federal borrowing limit creates a wall — often before your final year.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of Missouri-Kansas City’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 178402.
- Program classification: MSE is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at University of Missouri-Kansas City Engineering faces an annual funding gap of $15,631 based on a cost of attendance of $36,131 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 2 years, the total funding gap is $31,262. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.