Missouri State University-Springfield — ROI, Cost & Payback
Missouri State University-Springfield charges a net price of $17,613/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $70,452. Graduates earn a median $49,827 ten years after entry, $1,467/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 48 years — a 20-year net return of -$41,112, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Missouri State University-Springfield's 48-year payback ranks #1,187 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 7% of them, and #23 of 71 in Missouri.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,613/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $70,452 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,827 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,467/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,992 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 48 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$41,112 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Missouri State University-Springfield's own numbers. Net price $17,613 × 4 years = $70,452 total. Median earnings $49,827 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,467 a year of premium. $70,452 ÷ $1,467 = 48 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$41,112. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Missouri State University-Springfield students graduate with?
A median $21,992 in federal loans among completers, or 44% of the $49,827 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Missouri State University-Springfield students graduate?
58% finish their degree — 42% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $70,452 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $121,469 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Missouri State University-Springfield expensive compared with other Missouri colleges?
Its $17,613 net price runs $473 below the $18,086 median across the 71 Missouri colleges we profile, and $1,892 less across the full degree.