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. Median 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 |
| Median 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). Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $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.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $20,000 in federal loans, which works out to about $212 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $53,037 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.52, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
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 - reasonable for a public university. 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 median 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. This program consistently outperforms UMSL's institutional aggregate and represents a reliable ROI pathway.
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). Outcomes are middle-of-the-distribution for a regional public business program. 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. The debt load is high relative to UMSL's in-state tuition, suggesting students in this program are borrowing beyond direct costs. 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. Nevertheless, the program-level outcomes are well above UMSL's institutional average and represent a defensible investment at in-state tuition.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 62.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 67.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Missouri-St Louis’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
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 |
UMSL's 62.7% admission rate and ACT range of 19-27 make it one of the more accessible public universities in Missouri. 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.
UMSL's Scorecard peers include University of Central Missouri, Harris-Stowe State, and Washburn University. Among this group, UMSL's aggregate ROI of 59 sits in the middle. Harris-Stowe and similar open-access institutions have lower earnings outcomes but also lower costs. UMSL's peer comparison is most useful at the program level: its Computer Science outcomes ($102k year-four) compare favorably against regional peers, while its humanities and social science outcomes are broadly consistent with similarly priced institutions.
| 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 - slower than most four-year schools. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $20,000 against $53,037 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
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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.