Washington University in St Louis vs Missouri University of Science and Technology: which has better ROI?
Missouri University of Science and Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $65,192 in 1.9 years versus 2.3 years at Washington University in St Louis, on median earnings of $82,957 vs $86,182 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washington University in St Louis | Missouri University of Science and Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,786 | $16,298 |
| Total net cost | $87,144 | $65,192 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,182 | $82,957 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $669,296 | $626,748 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washington University in St Louis or Missouri University of Science and Technology?
Missouri University of Science and Technology, at $16,298 a year after aid versus $21,786 — a gap of $5,488 a year, or $21,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Washington University in St Louis or Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates report a median $86,182 ten years after entry, $3,225 more than the $82,957 at Missouri University of Science and Technology. 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, Washington University in St Louis or Missouri University of Science and Technology?
Washington University in St Louis: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Missouri University of Science and Technology, a difference of $5,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Washington University in St Louis, against 64% at Missouri University of Science and Technology. 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.