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University of Missouri-Kansas City — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Kansas City, MO · 6,817 students

The verdict

University of Missouri-Kansas City charges a net price of $13,310/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $53,240. Graduates earn a median $59,637 ten years after entry, $11,277/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.7 years — a 20-year net return of $172,300, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Missouri-Kansas City's 4.7-year payback ranks #388 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 70% of them, and #8 of 71 in Missouri.

Better ROI than 70% of US colleges#388 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$13,310
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$59,637
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4.7 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
72%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Missouri-Kansas City: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$13,310/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$53,240our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$59,637Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$11,277/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$18,750Scorecard, 2026
Payback4.7 yrsour math
20-year net return$172,300our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Missouri-Kansas City's own numbers. Net price $13,310 × 4 years = $53,240 total. Median earnings $59,637 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $11,277 a year of premium. $53,240 ÷ $11,277 = 4.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $172,300. 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 University of Missouri-Kansas City students graduate with?

A median $18,750 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $59,637 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Missouri-Kansas City students graduate?

55% finish their degree — 45% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $53,240 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $96,800 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Missouri-Kansas City expensive compared with other Missouri colleges?

Its $13,310 net price runs $4,776 below the $18,086 median across the 71 Missouri colleges we profile, and $19,104 less across the full degree.

University of Missouri-Kansas City: frequently asked questions

Is University of Missouri-Kansas City worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Missouri-Kansas City charges $13,310/yr after aid ($53,240 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $59,637 ten years out — $11,277/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4.7 years and returns $172,300 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of Missouri-Kansas City degree take to pay off?
About 4.7 years. We divide the $53,240 four-year net cost by the $11,277/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Missouri-Kansas City cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $13,310/yr — about $53,240 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Missouri-Kansas City compare to other Missouri colleges?
It ranks #8 of 71 Missouri colleges we track by payback. Its $59,637 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $13,310 net price is below the national median of $16,902.