Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Missouri-Columbia worth it?
Pay $20,268/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $63,403 ten years out — about 3.1× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Missouri-Columbia vs Missouri avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Missouri college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Missouri-Columbia | Missouri avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $20,268 | $17,622 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $63,403 | $48,522 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $20,500 | $18,954 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 74.9% | 51% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 78.5% | 72.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $126,852 over four years. Most students get $11,445/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $20,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 32% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Missouri-Columbia grad earns about $736,120 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Missouri-Columbia
The average student at University of Missouri-Columbia pays $20,268 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $31,713 published sticker price. That is above the MO average net price of $17,622.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $63,403 — above the MO median of $48,522. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $20,500, roughly $222 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 32% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Missouri colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Missouri-Columbia.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Missouri-Columbia?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $20,268 per year. That's $11,445/yr in financial aid against the $31,713 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $81,072.
How much do University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn a median of $63,403 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.1× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Missouri-Columbia graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $20,500 — about $222/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 35.3% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Missouri-Columbia worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Missouri-Columbia a value grade of B — top 47% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $20,268/yr, earn $63,403/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.82. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Missouri-Columbia?
20.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 35.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,445 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Missouri-Columbia?
In-state tuition is $14,837 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $36,056 per year — a difference of $21,219/yr or $84,876 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Missouri-Columbia?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $13,841. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $26,304. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →