Washington University in St Louis vs State Technical College of Missouri: 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 4 years at State Technical College of Missouri, on median earnings of $86,182 vs $55,901 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washington University in St Louis | State Technical College of Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,786 | $15,190 |
| Total net cost | $87,144 | $30,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,182 | $55,901 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $10,986 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $669,296 | $120,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washington University in St Louis or State Technical College of Missouri?
State Technical College of Missouri, at $15,190 a year after aid versus $21,786 — a gap of $6,596 a year, or $56,764 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 State Technical College of Missouri graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates report a median $86,182 ten years after entry, $30,281 more than the $55,901 at State Technical College of Missouri. 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 State Technical College of Missouri?
State Technical College of Missouri: its completers carry a median $10,986 in federal loans versus $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis, a difference of $6,514. 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 84% at State Technical College of Missouri. 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.