Missouri State University-Springfield vs Saint Louis Community College: which has better ROI?
Missouri State University-Springfield has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,452 in 48 years versus not at all at Saint Louis Community College, on median earnings of $49,827 vs $35,325 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Missouri State University-Springfield | Saint Louis Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,613 | $8,440 |
| Total net cost | $70,452 | $16,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,827 | $35,325 |
| Median debt | $21,992 | $6,725 |
| Payback | 48 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$41,112 | -$277,580 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Missouri State University-Springfield or Saint Louis Community College?
Saint Louis Community College, at $8,440 a year after aid versus $17,613 — a gap of $9,173 a year, or $53,572 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Missouri State University-Springfield or Saint Louis Community College graduates earn more?
Missouri State University-Springfield graduates report a median $49,827 ten years after entry, $14,502 more than the $35,325 at Saint Louis Community College. 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, Missouri State University-Springfield or Saint Louis Community College?
Saint Louis Community College: its completers carry a median $6,725 in federal loans versus $21,992 at Missouri State University-Springfield, a difference of $15,267. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Missouri State University-Springfield, against 21% at Saint Louis Community College. 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.