University of Missouri-Kansas City vs Truman State University: which has better ROI?
University of Missouri-Kansas City has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,240 in 4.7 years versus 6.5 years at Truman State University, on median earnings of $59,637 vs $56,280 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Truman State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,310 | $12,780 |
| Total net cost | $53,240 | $51,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,637 | $56,280 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $172,300 | $107,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-Kansas City or Truman State University?
Truman State University, at $12,780 a year after aid versus $13,310 — a gap of $530 a year, or $2,120 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-Kansas City or Truman State University graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates report a median $59,637 ten years after entry, $3,357 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, University of Missouri-Kansas City or Truman State University?
University of Missouri-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Truman State University, a difference of $2,250. 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 55% at University of Missouri-Kansas City. 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.