University of Missouri-Columbia vs The University of Texas at Arlington
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 and The University of Texas at Arlington are closely matched on financial return. University of Missouri-Columbia scores 77/100 while The University of Texas at Arlington scores 76/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, The University of Texas at Arlington comes in at $13,951 per year (net price after aid) versus $20,268 at University of Missouri-Columbia - a difference of $6,317 annually, or roughly $25,268 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn a median of $63,403 compared to $63,199 at The University of Texas at Arlington. The payback period is 7.8 years at University of Missouri-Columbia versus 6.9 years at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at Arlington with a median $17,527 in debt versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.40 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Missouri-Co... | The University of Texas a... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,837 | $11,950 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $36,056 | $29,582 |
| Net Price (avg) | $20,268 | $13,951 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $81,072 | $55,804 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,700 | $43,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,403 | $63,199 |
| Graduation Rate | 74.9% | 54.0% |
| Payback Period | 7.8 yr | 6.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $17,527 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $186 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.40 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 80.0% | 70.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.1% | 63.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.5% | 79.9% |
| Enrollment | 23,929 | 32,294 |
| SAT Range | 1150-1330 | 1010-1240 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Missou... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,841 | $11,893 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,378 | $12,003 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,722 | $12,612 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,762 | $16,371 |
| $110,001+ | $26,304 | $24,692 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Missou... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $112,696 | $105,871 |
| Electrical Engineering | $105,034 | $99,993 |
| Industrial Engineering | $101,380 | $97,788 |
| Registered Nursing | $83,231 | $99,393 |
| Accounting | $95,415 | $78,245 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $94,629 | $90,158 |
| Civil Engineering | $83,684 | $86,844 |
| Mathematics | $81,518 | $66,261 |
| Economics | $74,661 | $71,821 |
| Journalism | $69,016 | $48,042 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $65,029 | $54,975 |
| International Relations | $64,747 | $50,006 |
| Chemistry | $61,884 | $63,766 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $61,080 | $30,895 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,007 | $32,990 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Missou... | The University of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 76 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 83 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 77 | 87 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 85 | 48 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 71 | 41 |
| Overall ROI Score | 77 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Missouri-Columbia edges out The University of Texas at Arlington by 1 points (77 vs 76), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Missouri-Columbia
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
The University of Texas at Arlington
Strong 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.