University of Missouri-Columbia vs Missouri State University-Springfield: which has better ROI?
University of Missouri-Columbia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $81,072 in 5.4 years versus 48 years at Missouri State University-Springfield, on median earnings of $63,403 vs $49,827 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | Missouri State University-Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $17,613 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $70,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $49,827 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $21,992 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 48 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | -$41,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-Columbia or Missouri State University-Springfield?
Missouri State University-Springfield, at $17,613 a year after aid versus $20,268 — a gap of $2,655 a year, or $10,620 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Missouri-Columbia or Missouri State University-Springfield graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report a median $63,403 ten years after entry, $13,576 more than the $49,827 at Missouri State University-Springfield. 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, University of Missouri-Columbia or Missouri State University-Springfield?
University of Missouri-Columbia: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $21,992 at Missouri State University-Springfield, a difference of $1,492. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of Missouri-Columbia, against 58% at Missouri State University-Springfield. 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.