15

Mission University

Springfield, Missouri · Private Nonprofit

ROI Score: 15/100 · Poor Value

Mission University scores 15 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale -- one of the lowest scores in the full CampusROI dataset. The metrics are deeply concerning: $23,900 median 6-year earnings, a 61.9-year payback period, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.095, and a 44.4% completion rate. The payback period of 61.9 years means graduates would need to work for more than six decades to recover their educational investment at current earnings levels. Median debt is $26,168 and net price of $21,383 exceeds sticker tuition of $16,950 -- indicating students pay more net than sticker, a pattern suggesting minimal aid packaging or fee structures that inflate total cost. Scorecard does not report program-level data for Mission University; the programs array is empty. Admission rates and test score ranges are not reported. The institution is a small private nonprofit in Springfield, Missouri, with 381 students and a 55.9% Pell rate indicating heavy low-income enrollment. The repayment rate of 71.6% is the strongest data point in the profile, but against $23,900 median earnings and a 1.095 debt-to-earnings ratio, this reflects baseline loan management rather than financial health.

Payback Period
>50 yr
Years until earnings premium covers total investment
Net Price / Year
$21,383
$85,532 over 4 years after aid
10-Year Earnings
$38,641
Median graduate 10 years after entry
Debt / Earnings
1.09
$26,168 median debt vs first-year salary

Mission University

15
ROI ScorePoor Value
Earnings Premium
10(0.04x)
Payback Period
11(>50 yr)
Debt / Earnings
3(1.09)
Completion Rate
28(44%)
Repayment Rate
45(72%)

Quick Numbers

In-state tuition + fees$16,950/yr
Out-of-state tuition + fees$16,950/yr
Average net price$21,383/yr
Total 4-year cost (net)$85,532
Median earnings (10yr post-entry)$38,641
Median earnings (6yr post-entry)$23,900
Median debt at graduation$26,168
Estimated monthly loan payment$277
Estimated payback period>50 years
6-year graduation rate44.4%
Undergraduate enrollment381

Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).

The Full Financial Picture

The sticker price at Mission University is $16,950/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,383/year, or roughly $85,532 over four years.

That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $22,017/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,029/year.

The median graduate leaves with $26,168 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $277 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $38,641 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 1.09 - above the recommended threshold where total debt should not exceed first-year salary.

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.

Family IncomeAvg Net Price/Year
$0 - $30,000$22,017
$30,001 - $48,000$15,383
$48,001 - $75,000$18,064
$75,001 - $110,000$26,307
$110,001+$23,029

Cost by Income Bracket Explained

Lower-income families (under $30K)

The 0-30000 income bracket pays $22,017 per year. Against $23,900 median 6-year earnings and a 61.9-year payback, this is a deeply adverse financial outcome for low-income students. A student borrowing to attend at $22,017/year is taking on debt that exceeds their expected annual earnings, with a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0 and a repayment horizon that extends well beyond any reasonable career horizon. The 44.4% completion rate compounds the risk: more than half of low-income enrollees will not graduate.

Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)

The 48001-75000 bracket pays $18,064 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $26,307. Middle-income families at the higher bracket face a cost nearly equal to the $23,900 median earnings figure. The financial case at any middle-income price point is extremely difficult to justify based on Scorecard data alone.

Higher-income families ($110K+)

The 110001-plus bracket pays $23,029 per year. Full-pay families considering this institution are unlikely to be in the high-income bracket given the institution's profile. Against $23,900 median 6-year earnings, even the most favorable cost scenario produces a marginal return. The data does not support a strong financial case for Mission University at any income level.

How Graduates Do

Earnings

6 years after entry$23,900
-$11,100 vs. HS grad
10 years after entry$38,641
+$3,641 vs. HS grad
Annual earnings premium$3,641
Over median HS graduate ($35,000)

Loan Repayment

MetricThis SchoolNat'l Avg
1-year repayment63.6%52.0%
3-year repayment71.6%62.0%
5-year repayment65.4%68.0%
7-year repayment69.4%72.0%

Completion Rate

0%National avg: 60.0%100%
44.4%
6-year rate

Admissions Snapshot

Enrollment381
Pell Grant recipients55.9%
Avg faculty salary (monthly)$4,474

Scorecard does not report an admission rate or test score ranges for Mission University. The small enrollment and absence of admissions data suggest a low-barrier enrollment process for a local mission-focused institution. Without reported selectivity data, the institution appears to operate as broadly open access. Completion, not admission, is the primary barrier: 44.4% of students who enroll graduate.

Compared to Similar Schools

Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.

Scorecard peers include Calvary University, Mitchell College, and Southwestern Christian University -- all small faith-affiliated institutions with limited Scorecard data. Mission University's ROI of 15 places it near the bottom of the full dataset. Among faith-based institutions in this batch, Mission (15) is the weakest, below Corban University (35) and Moody Bible Institute (36). The combination of 44.4% completion, $23,900 median earnings, and a 1.095 debt-to-earnings ratio is rare even among low-ranking institutions. The absence of program-level data means Scorecard cannot identify any specific track with better outcomes.

SchoolROINet Price10yr Earnings
Mission University (this school)
15
$21,383$38,641
Avila University
51
$16,053$52,773
Calvary University
30
$16,334$45,421
Mitchell College
15
$30,260$39,115
Southwestern Christian University
14
$20,146$40,391
Herzing University-Brookfield
14
$20,514$36,909

Who Thrives Here

Mission University does not report admissions rates or test score ranges to the Scorecard. Enrollment of 381 is very small. Pell grant rate of 55.9% indicates the majority of students are low-income or working-class. Average faculty salary of $4,474 per month is among the lowest in this dataset, suggesting extremely constrained academic resources. The institution serves a local Springfield, Missouri population, likely including adult learners and first-generation students. Students who enroll here should understand that the Scorecard earnings data shows median graduates earning $23,900 at six years -- below the Missouri median household income.

The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up

Poor Value

The financial data raises serious concerns about Mission University. With a net cost of $21,383 per year and median graduate earnings of only $38,641 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.

Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 44.4% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.

Median debt of $26,168 against $38,641 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.

Rankings & Links

Guides & Tools

Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)

Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25

Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.