What if your college experience could give you a global community, personalized support, real-world experience, and an affordable path to your future?  For students considering studying in the United States, choosing a university is about more than finding the right degree. It’s about finding a place where you can feel supported, build meaningful connections, gain experience, and prepare for life after graduation.

At the University of Central Missouri (UCM), international students from around the world are beginning that journey.

In a recent welcome video, UCM introduces some of its newest international students, who share where they’re from as they become part of the campus community.

Meet:

• 🇫🇷 Flora from France
• 🇰🇪 Marian fromKenya
• 🇯🇵 Natsuki from Japan
• 🇯🇵 Momo from Japan
• 🇦🇬 Xendhe from Antigua
• 🇸🇪 Aron from Sweden
• 🇸🇪 Edvin from Sweden
• 🇨🇳 Wenton Han from China
• 🇨🇳 Yizheng You from China
• 🇰🇷 Yoon from South Korea
• 🇰🇷 Hyunseo from South Korea

Different countries. Different cultures. Different stories.

One UCM family. ❤️💙

Why choose UCM?

A quality education that’s designed with your future in mind

UCM describes itself as an innovative university offering a high-quality education while remaining one of the most affordable universities in the country.

But learning at UCM goes beyond the classroom.

Students can participate in applied learning in the classroom, service-learning projects, study abroad opportunities, internships, and other real-world experiences that can help connect what they learn in class with the skills they’ll need—making them career-ready after graduation.

UCM also reports that its degree completion rate per full-time equivalent is the highest among Missouri’s public universities, based on statistics released by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

Small classes. Bigger opportunities to connect.

Moving to a new country for college can feel overwhelming. Having professors and support staff who know you can make a difference.

With an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, UCM offers a learning environment where students can receive more individualized attention.

As UCM Exercise Science student Dustin Davis describes it, the university is “not too big, but it’s not too small either,” giving students opportunities to receive attention from faculty and work with them on assignments, projects, and hands-on skills.

That combination can give students the chance to build relationships with professors while developing their academic and professional interests.

Learn beyond the classroom

Your college experience doesn’t have to stop when class ends.

UCM emphasizes engaged learning and future-focused academics, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn through experiences such as service learning, study abroad, internships, projects, and hands-on learning.

For international students, these experiences can also be a way to explore new interests, meet people from different backgrounds, and develop skills that can complement their academic studies.

More support when you need it

Starting university in another country comes with a learning curve—not just academically, but culturally and personally.

UCM provides students with a range of support services, including:

• Success Advising Center
• 24/7 academic support through in-person and online resources
• Tutoring for 100+ courses
• Writing Center review and editing services
• Free counseling and mental health services
• Free career counseling

The goal is simple: give students the resources and support they need to succeed academically and stay on track toward graduation.

A campus with a global perspective

One of the most exciting parts of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet people you might never have met at home.

At UCM, international students become part of a diverse campus community where they can connect with classmates, faculty, staff, and alumni.

As Jackie Jackson, Director of Annual Giving and a UCM alumna, explains, students are looking for a community that supports them—from faculty and staff to the alumni community.

That sense of community can be especially meaningful when you’re thousands of miles from home.

Quality education at an affordable price

For many international students and their families, affordability is a major part of the university decision.

UCM highlights its commitment to providing a quality education at an affordable price, with tuition lower than most colleges in Missouri and the national average.

The university also says it has been recognized by organizations including U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.

And for students thinking about what comes after graduation, UCM reports that 97% of its graduates are employed or continue their education within six months of graduation.

Your degree is only the beginning

College is an investment in your future—and the goal is to graduate with more than a diploma.

At UCM, students have opportunities to develop academic knowledge, professional skills, global perspectives, and connections that can continue long after they leave campus.

As Associate Professor Shantia Kerr Sims puts it, supporting students can create a stronger university community for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

That culture of support is at the heart of the UCM experience.

Your UCM journey could start here

From France to Kenya, Japan to Antigua, Sweden to China, and South Korea, UCM’s newest international students are already beginning their stories.

Maybe yours could be next.

Whether you're looking for affordable tuition, personalized attention, career-focused academics, hands-on experiences, or a welcoming international community, UCM offers opportunities to help you make the most of your college experience.

Your country. Your goals. Your future.

Could UCM be your next chapter?

Ready to explore UCM?

UCM’s International Student Services (ISS) team supports international students through the application, admissions, and enrollment process and throughout their studies.

Whether you're pursuing an undergraduate, master's, or education specialist degree, explore UCM's programs and discover what your future could look like.

EXPLORE UCM