University of Missouri-Columbia vs University of Central Missouri
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 29-point ROI advantage over University of Central Missouri, scoring 77/100 versus 48/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Central Missouri comes in at $14,462 per year (net price after aid) versus $20,268 at University of Missouri-Columbia - a difference of $5,806 annually, or roughly $23,224 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn a median of $63,403 compared to $49,560 at University of Central Missouri. The payback period is 7.8 years at University of Missouri-Columbia versus 13.6 years at University of Central Missouri.
Graduates leave University of Missouri-Columbia with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,000 at University of Central Missouri. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.60 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Missouri-Co... | University of Central Mis... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $14,837 | $10,050 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $36,056 | $18,600 |
| Net Price (avg) | $20,268 | $14,462 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $81,072 | $57,848 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,700 | $35,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,403 | $49,560 |
| Graduation Rate | 74.9% | 54.1% |
| Payback Period | 7.8 yr | 13.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $21,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $223 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.60 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 80.0% | 66.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.1% | 62.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.5% | 63.8% |
| Enrollment | 23,929 | 5,648 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Missou... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,841 | $10,965 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,378 | $12,254 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,722 | $13,408 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,762 | $16,931 |
| $110,001+ | $26,304 | $18,485 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Missou... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $100,234 | $81,657 |
| Accounting | $95,415 | $76,930 |
| Registered Nursing | $83,231 | $80,542 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $82,831 | $47,248 |
| Economics | $74,661 | $69,359 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $73,861 | $60,063 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $69,333 | $53,677 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $65,029 | $51,897 |
| International Relations | $64,747 | $63,965 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $61,713 | $55,753 |
| Hospitality Administration | $61,441 | $48,931 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,007 | $52,463 |
| Biology | $60,424 | $48,112 |
| Social Work | $56,157 | $51,349 |
| Sociology | $55,098 | $45,862 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Missou... | University of Centra... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 76 | 55 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 42 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 77 | 51 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 85 | 48 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 71 | 31 |
| Overall ROI Score | 77 | 48 |
The Verdict
University of Missouri-Columbia significantly outperforms University of Central Missouri on financial ROI (77 vs 48). The 29-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless University of Central Missouri 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
University of Central Missouri
Below Average 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.