Truman State University vs William Jewell College: which has better ROI?
William Jewell College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,248 in 6.4 years versus 6.5 years at Truman State University, on median earnings of $59,268 vs $56,280 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Truman State University | William Jewell College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,780 | $17,562 |
| Total net cost | $51,120 | $70,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,280 | $59,268 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $24,498 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 6.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $107,280 | $147,912 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Truman State University or William Jewell College?
Truman State University, at $12,780 a year after aid versus $17,562 — a gap of $4,782 a year, or $19,128 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 William Jewell College graduates earn more?
William Jewell College graduates report a median $59,268 ten years after entry, $2,988 more than the $56,280 at Truman State 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 William Jewell College?
Truman State University: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $24,498 at William Jewell College, a difference of $3,498. 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 68% at William Jewell 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.