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Truman State University vs Avila University: which has better ROI?

Public, Kirksville MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Kansas City MO

The verdict

Truman State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,120 in 6.5 years versus 14.6 years at Avila University, on median earnings of $56,280 vs $52,773 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTruman State UniversityAvila University
Net price / yr$12,780$16,053
Total net cost$51,120$64,212
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,280$52,773
Median debt$21,000$25,000
Payback6.5 yrs14.6 yrs
20-year net return$107,280$24,048

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Truman State University or Avila University?

Truman State University, at $12,780 a year after aid versus $16,053 — a gap of $3,273 a year, or $13,092 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Truman State University or Avila University graduates earn more?

Truman State University graduates report a median $56,280 ten years after entry, $3,507 more than the $52,773 at Avila University. 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, Truman State University or Avila University?

Truman State University: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Avila University, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Truman State University, against 52% at Avila University. 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.

Truman State University vs Avila University: frequently asked questions

Is Truman State University or Avila University a better value?
Truman State University. It clears its $51,120 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 14.6 years at Avila University, on median earnings of $56,280 vs $52,773 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Truman State University or Avila University?
Truman State University: $12,780/yr net price after aid versus $16,053/yr at Avila University — a difference of $3,273 a year, or about $13,092 over four years.
Do Truman State University or Avila University graduates earn more?
Truman State University graduates earn a median $56,280 ten years after entry, versus $52,773 at Avila University — a $3,507 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.