University of Missouri-Columbia vs State Technical College of Missouri: which has better ROI?
State Technical College of Missouri has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $30,380 in 4 years versus 5.4 years at University of Missouri-Columbia, on median earnings of $55,901 vs $63,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | State Technical College of Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $15,190 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $30,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $55,901 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $10,986 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | $120,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-Columbia or State Technical College of Missouri?
State Technical College of Missouri, at $15,190 a year after aid versus $20,268 — a gap of $5,078 a year, or $50,692 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 State Technical College of Missouri graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report a median $63,403 ten years after entry, $7,502 more than the $55,901 at State Technical College of Missouri. 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 State Technical College of Missouri?
State Technical College of Missouri: its completers carry a median $10,986 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia, a difference of $9,514. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at State Technical College of Missouri, 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.