Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla, Missouri · Public · 72.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 90/100 · Exceptional Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) earns a 90 ROI score as one of the country's best-value public engineering schools. With in-state tuition of $14,984, a 72.6% admission rate, and 5,521 undergraduates in Rolla, Missouri, the school delivers outcomes that rival more expensive private engineering programs. Median earnings reach $57,200 six years out and $82,957 at ten years. Payback period is 4.3 years - among the fastest in public engineering. The 93.5% repayment rate at three years is exceptional, indicating graduates service their debt comfortably. Completion rate is 64.4%, which trails the strongest engineering schools. The program catalog reads like a mining and industrial engineering handbook: Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mining Engineering. These are niche programs that train students for industries - energy, aerospace, industrial manufacturing - where specialized credentials command strong premiums. Rolla is a small city, so campus culture is insular, but the tight alumni network in Midwestern engineering industries compensates.
The median graduate earns $82,957 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,984/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $33,248/yr |
| Average net price | $16,298/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $65,192 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,957 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $57,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,521 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $14,984/year ($33,248/year out-of-state). Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $16,298/year, or roughly $65,192 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $10,912/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,088/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $23,250 in federal loans, which works out to about $246 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $82,957 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.41, comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,912 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,027 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,330 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,241 |
| $110,001+ | $20,088 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $10,912 per year at Missouri S&T - roughly $43,600 for four years. This is higher than some peer public schools but lower than private alternatives. The school's small endowment limits its ability to fully aid low-income students. Given strong outcomes, even $10-11K/year is a reasonable investment for students who complete the degree.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30-48k bracket pays $12,027 per year, and the 48-75k bracket pays $13,330. The slope is flat and low across the middle-income range - this is essentially in-state tuition territory for most income levels. The 75-110k bracket rises to $18,241. Middle-income Missouri families can attend S&T at nearly in-state rates across most brackets.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $20,088 per year - still very low for a school with strong engineering outcomes. The out-of-state tuition is $33,248, but high-income families often pay significantly less than sticker. Even at $20K/year, the 4.3-year payback and $82,957 ten-year earnings make this a strong value for high-income families from outside Missouri.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Missouri University of Science and Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,742 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $107,195 | B+ |
| Civil Engineering | $85,053 | B |
| Electrical Engineering | $98,264 | B+ |
| Chemical Engineering | $94,686 | B+ |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $96,090 | B+ |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $91,035 | B |
| Biology | $58,290 | D |
| Computer Engineering | $99,620 | B+ |
| Architectural Engineering | $85,754 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (91 graduates) shows $81,204 one-year earnings and $98,264 at four years, with a 0.306 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ grade. EE is Missouri S&T's largest program. Starting at $81K is very competitive for an in-state public school with $14,984 tuition. Graduates find work in aerospace (Boeing and Northrop Grumman have Missouri presence), power systems, and telecommunications. The 0.306 debt ratio is manageable. Four-year earnings near $98K reflect consistent career progression in technical roles.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering (86 graduates) delivers $78,369 one-year earnings and $94,686 at four years, with a 0.309 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ grade. Missouri's proximity to agricultural chemical and petrochemical industries creates regional placement. Chemical engineers from S&T also move into pharmaceutical manufacturing, specialty materials, and energy applications. Starting at $78K on a $14,984 in-state tuition is a strong ROI calculation. The 0.309 debt ratio reflects that even with moderate borrowing, earnings substantially outpace debt.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is the largest program by graduate count at 203, showing $75,855 one-year earnings and $91,742 at four years, with a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ grade. ME is the most versatile engineering credential and Missouri S&T ME graduates enter automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy sectors. The Rolla location gives access to Midwestern industrial employers who recruit specifically at S&T. Starting at nearly $76K with a 0.30 debt ratio is a solid outcome for an in-state public program.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Aerospace Engineering (78 graduates) shows $76,183 one-year earnings and $96,090 at four years, with a 0.298 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ grade. Missouri S&T sends aerospace graduates into defense contractors and NASA programs. The school's aerospace program is regionally known and benefits from Boeing's significant Missouri manufacturing presence. Starting at $76K with a near-$96K four-year median means graduates are well-positioned within five years of graduation. The 0.298 debt ratio is one of the better outcomes for aerospace programs nationally.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 90.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 93.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Missouri University of Science and Technology’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 72.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610-730 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 5,521 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 22.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,726 |
At 72.6% admission rate, Missouri S&T is accessible but not a safety school for engineering programs. The SAT/ACT ranges reflect a technically oriented applicant pool. Students admitted in the lower ACT ranges (25-27) face real completion risk in demanding engineering curricula.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Missouri S&T does not have obvious national engineering school peers in its listed data. Comparing to national benchmarks: median six-year earnings of $57,200 exceed the national college median of approximately $55,000, and the 93.5% repayment rate at three years is in the top tier nationally. The 64.4% completion rate is the main gap relative to stronger engineering schools. Illinois Institute of Technology (ROI 92) shows higher completion (75.2%) but lower repayment rates (89.9% vs. 93.5%). Missouri S&T's advantage is its in-state price - at $14,984 tuition, the debt burden is lower, producing the 0.406 debt-to-earnings ratio despite moderate borrowing.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (this school) | 90 | $16,298 | $82,957 |
| University of Florida-Online | 91 | $4,815 | $71,588 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | 82 | $19,703 | $74,479 |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | 81 | $18,173 | $67,541 |
| University of Central Missouri | 48 | $14,462 | $49,560 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
Admitted students show SAT Math 610-730, SAT Reading 580-690, ACT 25-31. About 23% receive Pell grants. Students who do best here commit to technical programs and are willing to live in a small-city environment far from major metros. The school's strongest value proposition is in narrow engineering specializations - students who choose generic engineering programs may find stronger options at flagship state schools with more campus resources.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
If you're asking whether Missouri University of Science and Technology is worth it, the short answer is yes - it's one of the strongest money decisions in higher education. Four years here run about $65,192 after aid, and the typical graduate earns $82,957 ten years out. That earnings head start covers the cost in roughly 4.3 years, well ahead of most schools.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
On debt, you can breathe a little easier here. A median $23,250 owed against $82,957 in annual earnings is very manageable - comfortably inside the advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Missouri University of Science and Technology: Common Questions
Is Missouri University of Science and Technology worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Missouri University of Science and Technology pays off. It scores 90/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $16,298 a year after aid ($65,192 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $82,957 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 4.3 years to earn back.
How much does Missouri University of Science and Technology cost after financial aid?
The average net price - what students actually pay after grants and scholarships - is about $16,298 a year, or roughly $65,192 over four years. That is the number to plan around, not the sticker price. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $82,957 ten years after enrolling, roughly $41,157 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Missouri University of Science and Technology?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 4.3 years for Missouri University of Science and Technology. Most four-year schools we track land between 4 and 10 years.
How much debt do Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates take on?
Median debt at graduation is about $23,250, against $82,957 in typical earnings a decade out. That is very manageable - comfortably inside the advisor rule of thumb that total debt should stay under a year of salary.
What is the graduation rate at Missouri University of Science and Technology?
The six-year graduation rate is 64.4%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.