University of Missouri-St Louis vs Truman State University: which has better ROI?
Truman State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,120 in 6.5 years versus 12.9 years at University of Missouri-St Louis, on median earnings of $56,280 vs $53,037 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-St Louis | Truman State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,071 | $12,780 |
| Total net cost | $60,284 | $51,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,037 | $56,280 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 12.9 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $33,256 | $107,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-St Louis or Truman State University?
Truman State University, at $12,780 a year after aid versus $15,071 — a gap of $2,291 a year, or $9,164 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 Truman State University graduates earn more?
Truman State University graduates report a median $56,280 ten years after entry, $3,243 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 Truman State University?
University of Missouri-St Louis: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Truman State University, a difference of $1,000. 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 57% at University of Missouri-St Louis. 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.