Washington University in St Louis vs Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Washington University in St Louis has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $87,144 in 2.3 years versus 3.1 years at Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences, on median earnings of $86,182 vs $60,918 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washington University in St Louis | Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,786 | $19,390 |
| Total net cost | $87,144 | $38,780 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,182 | $60,918 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $11,500 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | 3.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $669,296 | $212,380 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washington University in St Louis or Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences?
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences, at $19,390 a year after aid versus $21,786 — a gap of $2,396 a year, or $48,364 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 Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates report a median $86,182 ten years after entry, $25,264 more than the $60,918 at Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences. 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 Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences?
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $11,500 in federal loans versus $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis, a difference of $6,000. 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 75% at Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences. 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.