University of Missouri-Columbia vs Saint Louis University: 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 5.4 years at University of Missouri-Columbia, on median earnings of $70,783 vs $63,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | Saint Louis University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $24,398 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $97,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $70,783 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | $350,868 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-Columbia or Saint Louis University?
University of Missouri-Columbia, at $20,268 a year after aid versus $24,398 — a gap of $4,130 a year, or $16,520 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 Saint Louis University graduates earn more?
Saint Louis University graduates report a median $70,783 ten years after entry, $7,380 more than the $63,403 at University of Missouri-Columbia. 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 Saint Louis University?
University of Missouri-Columbia: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Louis University, a difference of $4,500. 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 75% at University of Missouri-Columbia. 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.