Columbia, MO · Private University
Is University of Missouri-Columbia Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,403
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,130
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,338
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$137,352
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.85x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
76.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,889
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates earn $18,403 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 University of Missouri-Columbia ranked by graduate earnings
59 graduates
24 graduates
30 graduates
43 graduates
163 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Missouri-Columbia
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Missouri-Columbia, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $87,394) and the lowest (Film/Video and Photographic Arts: $29,613) is $57,781/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $87,394 | 2.5x |
| Computer Engineering | $86,396 | 2.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $85,468 | 2.5x |
| Industrial Engineering | $85,193 | 2.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,864 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,583 | 2.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,627 | 2.3x |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $71,425 | 2.1x |
| Engineering, General(1yr data) | $70,366 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,122 | 2.0x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $68,404 | 2.0x |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | $64,760 | 1.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,832 | 1.9x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $63,412 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $61,213 | 1.8x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $60,022 | 1.8x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $60,008 | 1.8x |
| Area Studies | $59,123 | 1.7x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $59,013 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $58,169 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $57,664 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $56,132 | 1.6x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $52,147 | 1.5x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $52,088 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $51,753 | 1.5x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $51,733 | 1.5x |
| Housing and Human Environments | $51,285 | 1.5x |
| Agriculture, General | $51,072 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,441 | 1.5x |
| Social Work | $49,967 | 1.5x |
| Plant Sciences | $49,601 | 1.4x |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $49,466 | 1.4x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $48,179 | 1.4x |
| Animal Sciences | $47,979 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,666 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $46,842 | 1.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $46,530 | 1.4x |
| History | $45,990 | 1.3x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $45,279 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $45,198 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $44,535 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $44,511 | 1.3x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $44,301 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $39,887 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $39,755 | 1.2x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,236 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,973 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $38,808 | 1.1x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $38,726 | 1.1x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $36,867 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,695 | 1.1x |
| Music(1yr data) | $35,939 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $35,409 | 1.0x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $31,926 | 0.9x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General(1yr data) | $29,775 | 0.9x |
| Film/Video and Photographic ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $29,613 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 1.85x | $63,403 | Good ROI |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 1.57x | $63,742 | Good ROI |
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 2.37x | $63,126 | Strong ROI |
| University of Iowa | 1.97x | $64,762 | Good ROI |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 2.05x | $56,887 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Missouri-Columbia offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,403 10 years after starting — $18,403 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.