University of Missouri-St Louis vs Ranken Technical College: which has better ROI?
Ranken Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,180 in 9.9 years versus 12.9 years at University of Missouri-St Louis, on median earnings of $55,955 vs $53,037 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-St Louis | Ranken Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,071 | $18,795 |
| Total net cost | $60,284 | $75,180 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,037 | $55,955 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 12.9 yrs | 9.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $33,256 | $76,720 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-St Louis or Ranken Technical College?
University of Missouri-St Louis, at $15,071 a year after aid versus $18,795 — a gap of $3,724 a year, or $14,896 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-St Louis or Ranken Technical College graduates earn more?
Ranken Technical College graduates report a median $55,955 ten years after entry, $2,918 more than the $53,037 at University of Missouri-St Louis. 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-St Louis or Ranken Technical College?
Ranken Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $20,000 at University of Missouri-St Louis, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at University of Missouri-St Louis, against 53% at Ranken Technical 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.