Springfield, MO · Private University
Is Missouri State University-Springfield Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$49,827
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,024
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,928
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$71,712
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.78x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
57.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,992
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,502
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Missouri State University-Springfield graduates earn $4,827 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Missouri State University-Springfield ranked by graduate earnings
86 graduates
49 graduates
55 graduates
104 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Missouri State University-Springfield
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Missouri State University-Springfield, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $84,895) and the lowest (Religion/Religious Studies: $22,133) is $62,762/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $84,895 | 4.7x |
| Construction Management | $74,233 | 4.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $68,407 | 3.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,206 | 3.8x |
| Insurance | $66,477 | 3.7x |
| Economics | $65,293 | 3.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,936 | 3.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,635 | 3.3x |
| Mathematics | $56,610 | 3.2x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $54,456 | 3.0x |
| Marketing | $53,891 | 3.0x |
| Chemistry | $52,668 | 2.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,610 | 2.9x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $50,576 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,232 | 2.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $49,746 | 2.8x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $48,653 | 2.7x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $47,992 | 2.7x |
| Agriculture, General | $47,927 | 2.7x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $47,395 | 2.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $46,891 | 2.6x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $46,066 | 2.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $45,545 | 2.5x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $45,525 | 2.5x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $45,277 | 2.5x |
| Housing and Human Environments | $43,838 | 2.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $42,815 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $42,335 | 2.4x |
| Criminology | $41,726 | 2.3x |
| Plant Sciences | $40,554 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $40,028 | 2.2x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $39,840 | 2.2x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $39,810 | 2.2x |
| Psychology, General | $38,988 | 2.2x |
| Anthropology | $37,762 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,207 | 2.1x |
| Social Work | $37,055 | 2.1x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,414 | 2.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,842 | 2.0x |
| Sociology | $34,952 | 1.9x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,659 | 1.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $33,759 | 1.9x |
| Animal Sciences | $33,457 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,431 | 1.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $33,014 | 1.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,551 | 1.8x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $29,830 | 1.7x |
| History(1yr data) | $27,941 | 1.6x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $27,814 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,692 | 1.5x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management(1yr data) | $26,549 | 1.5x |
| Religion/Religious StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $22,133 | 1.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Missouri State University-Springfield stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $49,827 10 years after starting, $4,827 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.8 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.