The cost of college in Missouri — and what it pays back
Across the 71 Missouri institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $18,086/yr, $1,180 above the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $43,071 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 26 of the 71 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$18,086
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$43,071
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
8.2 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
26/71
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Missouri's 71 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong8
Solid6
Slow5
Weak52
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis | $31,817 | $137,047 | 1.4 yrs |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | $16,298 | $82,957 | 1.9 yrs |
| Washington University in St Louis | $21,786 | $86,182 | 2.3 yrs |
| Chamberlain University-Missouri | $30,716 | $92,405 | 2.8 yrs |
| Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | $19,390 | $60,918 | 3.1 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Charles Community College | $5,837 | $42,422 | no payback |
| College of the Ozarks | $6,100 | $41,592 | no payback |
| City Vision University | $6,353 | $21,123 | no payback |
| Moberly Area Community College | $6,810 | $37,537 | no payback |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | $6,936 | $36,455 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Missouri?
The median net price across Missouri colleges is $18,086/yr after aid — above the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Missouri cheaper than the national average?
No — the median Missouri net price of $18,086/yr runs about $1,180/yr above the $16,906 national median. Individual schools vary widely, so check each profile.
What do Missouri college graduates earn?
A median $43,071 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Missouri college pays for itself fastest?
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis — about 1.4 years to clear its $127,268 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-missouri page.