Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri · Public · 83.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 73/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Truman State University earns an overall ROI score of 73/100, placing it in the fair value band on CampusROI's framework. Sticker tuition is $9,838 in-state and $18,566 out-of-state, with average net price after grants and scholarships at $12,780. Average earnings six years after entry land at $36,000, climbing to a median of roughly $56,280 by year ten, producing a payback period of about 9.0 years. Median federal debt of $21,000 works out to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, which is tight. Note that net price ($12,780) actually exceeds in-state tuition ($9,838), which suggests fees, room and board, and limited grant aid are pushing the all-in cost above the headline tuition number. The component scores break down as earnings premium 84/100, completion 76/100, payback 68/100, debt-to-earnings 55/100, repayment 88/100. The lowest sub-score is debt-to-earnings ratio at 55/100, which is the main weight pulling the overall number down; the strongest sub-score is loan repayment rate at 88/100. Data points here come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (2024-2025 vintage), and Scorecard earnings carry a 6-10 year reporting lag, so the figures describe recent graduating cohorts rather than this year's incoming class.
Truman State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,838/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $18,566/yr |
| Average net price | $12,780/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $51,120 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,280 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $223 |
| Estimated payback period | 9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,513 |
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: $9,838/year ($18,566/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $12,780/year, or roughly $51,120 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 $6,046/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,220/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $21,000, which works out to about $223 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($36,000) and comes to 0.58, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $6,046 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,926 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,426 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,425 |
| $110,001+ | $17,220 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $6,046 per year here. With expected earnings around $56,280 a decade out, that's a workable number - Pell, state grants, and any institutional aid are doing real work to make it accessible, but families should still model debt carefully across four years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) face a net price of about $12,426 per year. These households typically get less Pell support and partial institutional aid, so the tuition bill is more directly felt. Whether the math works depends on the major: programs with stronger early earnings can absorb this cost; lower-paying majors will produce a longer payback period.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families in the $110,000+ bracket pay an average of $17,220 per year.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Truman State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,633 | C+ |
| Biology | $61,647 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,213 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $77,315 | B |
| Accounting | $84,515 | B |
| English Language and Literature | $38,923 | D |
| Public Health | $60,157 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,785 | D |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $48,320 | B |
| International Relations | $60,586 | C |
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.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration, Management, and Operations (CIP 5202) graduates 108 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $50,422 and four-year earnings of $70,633. Median program debt is $24,549 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C+. Business and management is the workhorse major here; outcomes track closely with the student's region and willingness to relocate for opportunity.
Biology
Biology (CIP 2601) graduates 72 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $31,435 and four-year earnings of $61,647. Median program debt is $20,305 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Health-adjacent bachelor's majors often need a graduate or licensure step to hit the earnings figures shown; budget for that next step in the financing plan.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology and Exercise Science (CIP 3105) graduates 67 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $26,865 and four-year earnings of $55,213. Median program debt is $22,500 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84, which is heavy. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of D.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (CIP 5138) graduates 55 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $68,736 and four-year earnings of $77,315. Median program debt is $25,094 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B. Nursing graduates typically enter clinical settings with strong wage floors and transferable licensure, which is why these programs hold up even at high cost.
Accounting
Accounting (CIP 5203) graduates 39 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $59,919 and four-year earnings of $84,515. Median program debt is $23,250 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.2% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Truman State University’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 | 83.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 2,513 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 16.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,584 |
The school admits roughly 83.8% of applicants, putting it in the broad-access category (SAT Math 25th-75th of 570-670; SAT Reading 25th-75th of 600-700; ACT Composite 25th-75th of 25-31). For prepared students with solid high school records the admit decision is unlikely to be the binding constraint here.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Truman State University sits at ROI 73 with 9.0yr payback.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truman State University (this school) | 73 | $12,780 | $56,280 |
| University of Illinois Springfield | 71 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | 69 | $8,370 | $63,496 |
| Indiana University-Kokomo | 68 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| University of Central Missouri | 48 | $14,462 | $49,560 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
Strong fit profile is a focused, locally-rooted student who has a clear major in mind and needs the in-state pricing and small-campus scale to make the math work. Completion is solid enough that a motivated student has a reasonable shot at finishing on time. Median earnings ten years out of $56,280 should be the honest yardstick for whether the price the family will actually pay (see the income-bracket breakdown below) leads to a workable post-graduation budget.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Truman State University is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $12,780 a year after aid ($51,120 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $56,280 a decade out, the cost takes about 9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 68.5% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $21,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $36,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Truman State University: Common Questions
Is Truman State University worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Truman State University is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 73/100 on our ROI scale. At $12,780 a year after aid ($51,120 over four years) against $56,280 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Truman State University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $12,780 a year, or roughly $51,120 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Truman State University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $56,280 ten years after enrolling, roughly $14,480 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 Truman State University?
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 9 years for Truman State University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Truman State University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $21,000, against average earnings of $36,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Truman State University?
The six-year graduation rate is 68.5%, 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.