University of Missouri-Columbia ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$56,520
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$17,756/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
528%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Missouri-Columbia has an acceptance rate of 77% and a graduation rate of 75.7%. The median debt for graduates is $20,500, and 34.9% of students receive financial aid. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $48,326. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $52,756, and ten years after graduation, the median salary is $63,403.
The annual in-state tuition at the University of Missouri-Columbia is $14,130. Based on the one-year earnings data, the tuition cost is recouped in less than a year. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.43, based on the median debt and one-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$14,130
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$52,756
Graduation Rate
76%
Receive Financial Aid
35%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Business/Commerce, General | $107,721 | 2473% |
| Journalism | $65,223 | 969% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $52,147 | 507% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,583 | 1548% |
| Psychology, General | $44,511 | 237% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,627 | 1479% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $110,806 | 2582% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $53,917 | 569% |
| Biology, General | $51,753 | 493% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,441 | 446% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,864 | 1629% |
Peer Comparison
528%
20yr ROI
815%
20yr ROI
707%
20yr ROI
523%
20yr ROI
640%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.