Saint Louis University vs University of Missouri-St Louis: which has better ROI?
Saint Louis University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,592 in 4.4 years versus 12.9 years at University of Missouri-St Louis, on median earnings of $70,783 vs $53,037 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Louis University | University of Missouri-St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,398 | $15,071 |
| Total net cost | $97,592 | $60,284 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,783 | $53,037 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 4.4 yrs | 12.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $350,868 | $33,256 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Louis University or University of Missouri-St Louis?
University of Missouri-St Louis, at $15,071 a year after aid versus $24,398 — a gap of $9,327 a year, or $37,308 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saint Louis University or University of Missouri-St Louis graduates earn more?
Saint Louis University graduates report a median $70,783 ten years after entry, $17,746 more than the $53,037 at University of Missouri-St Louis. 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, Saint Louis University or University of Missouri-St Louis?
University of Missouri-St Louis: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Louis University, a difference of $5,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Saint Louis University, against 57% at University of Missouri-St Louis. 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.