Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City vs University of Missouri-Kansas City: which has better ROI?
University of Missouri-Kansas City has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,240 in 4.7 years versus not at all at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, on median earnings of $59,637 vs $40,796 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | University of Missouri-Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,398 | $13,310 |
| Total net cost | $16,796 | $53,240 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,796 | $59,637 |
| Median debt | $10,073 | $18,750 |
| Payback | — | 4.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$168,076 | $172,300 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City or University of Missouri-Kansas City?
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, at $8,398 a year after aid versus $13,310 — a gap of $4,912 a year, or $36,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City or University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates report a median $59,637 ten years after entry, $18,841 more than the $40,796 at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City or University of Missouri-Kansas City?
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $10,073 in federal loans versus $18,750 at University of Missouri-Kansas City, a difference of $8,677. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at University of Missouri-Kansas City, against 34% at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.