University of Missouri-Columbia vs Harris-Stowe State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Missouri-Columbia holds a 72-point ROI advantage over Harris-Stowe State University, scoring 77/100 versus 5/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Harris-Stowe State University comes in at $9,922 per year (net price after aid) versus $20,268 at University of Missouri-Columbia - a difference of $10,346 annually, or roughly $41,384 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn a median of $63,403 compared to $31,088 at Harris-Stowe State University. The payback period is 7.8 years at University of Missouri-Columbia versus 999 years at Harris-Stowe State University.
Graduates leave University of Missouri-Columbia with a median $20,500 in debt versus $25,930 at Harris-Stowe State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 1.09 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Missouri-Co... | Harris-Stowe State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,837 | $7,008 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $36,056 | $11,640 |
| Net Price (avg) | $20,268 | $9,922 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $81,072 | $39,688 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,700 | $23,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,403 | $31,088 |
| Graduation Rate | 74.9% | 27.6% |
| Payback Period | 7.8 yr | 999 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $25,930 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $275 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 1.09 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 80.0% | 50.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.1% | 25.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.5% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 23,929 | 960 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Missou... | Harris-Stowe State U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,841 | $9,827 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,378 | $10,963 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,722 | $9,814 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,762 | $8,563 |
| $110,001+ | $26,304 | $6,238 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Missou... | Harris-Stowe State U... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $95,415 | $50,792 |
| Biology | $60,424 | $48,694 |
| Sociology | $55,098 | $28,268 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Missou... | Harris-Stowe State U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 76 | 3 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 7 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 77 | 3 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 85 | 8 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 71 | 9 |
| Overall ROI Score | 77 | 5 |
The Verdict
University of Missouri-Columbia significantly outperforms Harris-Stowe State University on financial ROI (77 vs 5). The 72-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Harris-Stowe State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Missouri-Columbia.
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University of Missouri-Columbia
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Harris-Stowe State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.