University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri · Public · 62.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 59/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
University of Missouri-St. Louis scores 59 (Below Average Value) on CampusROI - a rating shaped by a difficult combination of low completion, weak aggregate earnings, and a repayment rate that signals financial stress among borrowers. Only 56.6% of students complete their degree, and the 7-year repayment rate is 67.6% - meaning roughly a third of UMSL borrowers have not reduced their loan principal after seven years. Average 6-year earnings are $38,700 against a median debt of $20,000 and an 11.1-year payback period. The aggregate picture obscures sharp program-level variation. Computer Science (60 graduates, $72,810 year-one, $102,723 year-four, ROI grade B+) and Electrical Engineering (17 graduates, $78,941 year-one, $96,083 year-four) are genuine bright spots. Nursing (148 graduates, $66,972 year-one) provides a stable middle-income floor. At the other end, Liberal Arts (61 graduates) carries a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.933 (D), Education General (35 graduates) is 1.111 (F), and History (22 graduates) is 1.032 (F). In-state tuition is $14,112, and net price is $15,071 - the institutional cost is not the problem. The problem is that students in lower-earning majors are borrowing enough to strain repayment against modest post-graduation incomes.
University of Missouri-St Louis
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,112/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $35,112/yr |
| Average net price | $15,071/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $60,284 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,037 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $212 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,024 |
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: $14,112/year ($35,112/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 $15,071/year, or roughly $60,284 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 $13,031/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,608/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $20,000, which works out to about $212 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($38,700) and comes to 0.52, 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 | $13,031 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,979 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,222 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,598 |
| $110,001+ | $21,608 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $13,031 per year at UMSL. But low-income students face the institution's 56.6% completion rate most acutely: non-completers still carry debt with no degree to show for it. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $12,979, nearly identical. For low-income students with strong academic preparation targeting STEM or nursing, UMSL's cost structure is workable. For those undecided on major or at risk of attrition, the financial exposure from non-completion is real.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,222 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $17,598. Middle-income families pay costs close to in-state tuition without significant aid. At $38,700 average 6-year earnings and an 11.1-year payback period, the aggregate institution-level case is weak. However, STEM and nursing students in this income bracket face a much better picture - Computer Science and Electrical Engineering yield payback periods closer to 4-5 years at these cost levels.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $21,608 at UMSL. For students in STEM programs, this represents reasonable value - Computer Science graduates earning $102k by year four pay off $21k annual costs quickly. For students in low-earning humanities or social science programs, the payback math deteriorates sharply. UMSL's ROI is highly major-dependent, and high-income families who view it as a fallback institution should have a clear major strategy before enrolling.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Missouri-St Louis with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $65,373 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $78,608 | B |
| Psychology | $48,014 | D |
| Teacher Education | $38,980 | C |
| Accounting | $72,635 | B |
| Biology | $55,358 | D |
| Political Science and Government | $52,331 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $51,187 | D |
| Computer Science | $102,723 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,059 | 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 Science
Computer Science is UMSL's strongest program on a risk-adjusted basis: 60 graduates, $72,810 year-one, $102,723 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.340 (ROI grade B+). Graduates borrow a median $24,736 and exceed $100k in earnings within four years of graduation. The St. Louis technology sector, including defense contractors, financial services firms, and health technology companies, provides a regional employer base. This is a program where the institution's aggregate ROI score is not predictive of individual outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is UMSL's highest-volume professional program at 148 graduates. Year-one median earnings are $66,972, year-four $78,608, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.403 (ROI grade B). The St. Louis metro hospital network - BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health - provides strong regional employment demand. Median debt of $27,000 is manageable against nursing salaries.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration is UMSL's largest program at 275 graduates. Year-one median earnings are $48,928, year-four $65,373, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.440 (ROI grade B). Graduates entering regional corporate roles, supply chain, and healthcare administration make up the bulk of this cohort. The program is not a standout but provides a workable path for students committed to graduation.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts (61 graduates) carries a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.933 (ROI grade D): graduates borrow a median $35,750 against $38,332 year-one earnings and $51,187 year-four. At these earnings levels, monthly loan payments represent a significant share of take-home pay. This program represents a poor financial outcome at this institution.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (17 graduates) earns $78,941 at year one and $96,083 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.348 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $27,500 is elevated but manageable against the earnings trajectory. This is a small program and outcomes data may shift year-to-year with cohort variation.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.2% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.2% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 62.2% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 67.6% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Missouri-St Louis’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 | 62.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 550-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-27 |
| Enrollment | 5,024 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 18.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,112 |
The institution does not heavily filter on test scores; the practical challenge is persistence - a 56.6% completion rate means that roughly 4 in 10 students who enroll do not finish. Students should honestly assess their likelihood of completing a four-year program before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-St Louis (this school) | 59 | $15,071 | $53,037 |
| Empire State University | 61 | $11,676 | $54,080 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
| Washburn University | 51 | $15,280 | $49,774 |
| University of Central Missouri | 48 | $14,462 | $49,560 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
UMSL admits 62.7% of applicants with ACT composite range 19-27, making it a broadly accessible regional public. SAT ranges are 550-660 Math and 510-630 Reading. At 5,024 enrolled students with 18.4% receiving Pell grants, UMSL serves a mix of traditional and adult learners in the St. Louis metro. Students with clear STEM or nursing trajectories will find competitive program-level outcomes. Students choosing social sciences, humanities, or general education majors face a steep debt-to-earnings challenge at this institution.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Missouri-St Louis is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $15,071 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $53,037 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 11.1 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: a three-year loan repayment rate of 68.2% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $20,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $38,700 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, 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.
University of Missouri-St Louis: Common Questions
Is University of Missouri-St Louis worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. University of Missouri-St Louis scores 59/100 on our ROI scale. At $15,071 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $53,037 ten years after entry, so it takes about 11.1 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does University of Missouri-St Louis 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 $15,071 a year, or roughly $60,284 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 University of Missouri-St Louis graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $53,037 ten years after enrolling, roughly $11,237 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 University of Missouri-St Louis?
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 11.1 years for University of Missouri-St Louis. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Missouri-St Louis graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $20,000, against average earnings of $38,700 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. 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 University of Missouri-St Louis?
The six-year graduation rate is 56.6%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (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.