University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, Missouri · Public · 78.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 77/100 · Strong Value
University of Missouri-Columbia scores 77 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution is the flagship public research university of Missouri with 23,929 enrolled students, in-state tuition of $14,837, and a net price of $20,268. All five sub-scores are in the 70-85 range -- a balanced, consistently strong profile with no single catastrophic weakness. Completion rate of 74.9% and a 7.8-year payback period anchor the value case. Median 6-year earnings of $42,700 are modest at the institutional level but are significantly diluted by large cohorts in lower-earning fields: 528 Health Sciences students at C grade, 461 Journalism students at C+ grade, and 358 Psychology students at C grade pull the institutional median down from the strong STEM and business outcomes. The engineering and CS programs are standouts: Computer Engineering (13 grads, $83,243 year-one, A grade), Computer and Information Sciences (213 grads, $72,886 year-one, B+ grade), Electrical Engineering (41 grads, $85,400 year-one, B+ grade), and Mechanical Engineering (125 grads, $71,800 year-one, B+ grade). Business Administration is the largest graded program: 792 graduates, $55,999 year-one, $84,534 four-year, ROI grade B. Mizzou's Missouri School of Journalism is nationally ranked; Journalism's C+ grade ($43,958 year-one, $69,016 four-year) reflects journalism market realities, not program quality.
University of Missouri-Columbia scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,837/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $36,056/yr |
| Average net price | $20,268/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $81,072 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,403 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 74.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 23,929 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Missouri-Columbia is $14,837/year ($36,056/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,268/year, or roughly $81,072 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,841/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,304/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $63,403 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.48 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $13,841 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,378 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,722 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,762 |
| $110,001+ | $26,304 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $13,841 net price per year at Mizzou -- approximately $55,364 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $13,378 -- slightly lower, reflecting aid optimization at this income level. At $13,841 per year, Missouri's flagship delivers one of the strongest public university values available for low-income Missouri students, especially in engineering, CS, and nursing. The 20.1% Pell rate is relatively low for a flagship of this size.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $13,722 per year -- essentially flat from the lower brackets, suggesting a consistent aid floor for students below the median income threshold. The 75001-110000 bracket rises to $19,762. Middle-income families in Missouri accessing the $13,000-$20,000 net price range are getting strong flagship value at a fraction of private university cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $26,304 per year -- approximately $105,216 over four years. Even at this price, Mizzou's engineering and CS programs deliver clear ROI. Families weighing Mizzou against out-of-state schools at similar or higher net prices should factor the B+ and A-grade program depth that Mizzou offers at its in-state cost structure.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Missouri-Columbia with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $84,534 | B |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $69,333 | C |
| Journalism | $69,016 | C+ |
| Psychology | $55,839 | C |
| Biology | $60,424 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $83,231 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $44,681 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $100,234 | B+ |
| Accounting | $95,415 | B+ |
| International Relations | $64,747 | 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.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences is Mizzou's largest high-ROI program: 213 graduates, $72,886 year-one, $100,234 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.288 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $21,000 against year-one of $72k produces outstanding initial payback. The four-year trajectory to $100,234 confirms strong career progression. At Missouri in-state pricing, CS is among the best-value technical degrees in the Midwest.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing has 247 graduates -- among the largest nursing cohorts in this batch -- with $72,300 year-one, $83,231 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.322 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $23,250 is low relative to earnings. Mizzou nursing graduates access Missouri's healthcare systems statewide, with the University of Missouri Health System as a major employer. For nursing students choosing between Missouri public options, Mizzou's scale and clinical placement network are meaningful advantages.
Journalism
Journalism has 461 graduates -- the second-largest graded program -- with $43,958 year-one, $69,016 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.487 (ROI grade C+). The C+ grade is a function of journalism market salaries, not Mizzou's standing: the Missouri School of Journalism is consistently ranked among the top journalism programs nationally. Graduates access national media, digital media, and corporate communications markets. Students who understand the journalism labor market and can contextualize the C+ grade against career trajectory may still find Mizzou Journalism highly valuable.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 76.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 74.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 78.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-30 |
| Enrollment | 23,929 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,563 |
At 78.5%, Mizzou is accessible for well-prepared Missouri students. SAT 25th percentile of 570 Math / 580 Reading and ACT 23rd-percentile of 23 indicate moderate preparation expectations. The flagship status means admission thresholds vary by college -- Engineering and Honors College have higher requirements than general admission. Out-of-state tuition of $36,056 changes the value equation significantly; out-of-state students should compare Mizzou's net price against their home-state flagship before committing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
University of Missouri-Columbia's Scorecard peers include University of Central Missouri, Harris-Stowe State University, University of Iowa, Oregon State University, and The University of Texas at Arlington. Mizzou (ROI 77) is the highest-scoring institution in this peer group by a likely margin; Harris-Stowe (a small HBCU in St. Louis) and University of Central Missouri would score considerably lower. Among true peer flagships, Iowa and Oregon State represent meaningful comparison points for out-of-state students comparing Midwestern flagship options at competitive net prices.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia (this school) | 77 | $20,268 | $63,403 |
| University of Iowa | 76 | $22,531 | $64,762 |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | 76 | $13,951 | $63,199 |
| Oregon State University | 75 | $19,604 | $64,010 |
| University of Central Missouri | 48 | $14,462 | $49,560 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
University of Missouri-Columbia admits 78.5% of applicants and enrolls 23,929 students in Columbia, Missouri. SAT Math ranges 570-660, SAT Reading 580-670, ACT Composite 23-30 -- a broad middle-to-upper range reflecting Missouri's flagship role as a reasonably accessible state university. The Pell grant rate of 20.1% indicates primarily middle-to-upper-income enrollment. Mizzou offers a full range of programs from agricultural sciences to engineering to journalism; students should evaluate program-specific outcomes rather than the institutional average. The Columbia campus offers a large-university experience with Big 12 athletics, a research medical center, and a nationally recognized journalism school.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Missouri-Columbia delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $20,268 per year ($81,072 over four years), graduates earn a median of $63,403 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 7.8 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 74.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $20,500 against $63,403 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.