Head-to-head comparison
Missouri State University-Springfield vs University of Central Missouri: which has better ROI?
Option A Springfield, MO
Missouri State University-Springfield
- Net price / year
- $17,613
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,827
- Payback
- 48 yrs
Option B Warrensburg, MO
University of Central Missouri
- Net price / year
- $14,462
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,560
- Payback
- 48.2 yrs
Missouri State University-Springfield has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,452 in 48 years versus 48.2 years at University of Central Missouri, on median earnings of $49,827 vs $49,560 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Missouri State University-Springfield | University of Central Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,613 | $14,462 |
| Total net cost | $70,452 | $57,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,827 | $49,560 |
| Median debt | $21,992 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 48 yrs | 48.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$41,112 | -$33,848 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Missouri State University-Springfield or University of Central Missouri?
University of Central Missouri, at $14,462 a year after aid versus $17,613 — a gap of $3,151 a year, or $12,604 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Missouri State University-Springfield or University of Central Missouri graduates earn more?
Missouri State University-Springfield graduates report a median $49,827 ten years after entry, $267 more than the $49,560 at University of Central Missouri. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Missouri State University-Springfield or University of Central Missouri?
University of Central Missouri: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $21,992 at Missouri State University-Springfield, a difference of $992. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Missouri State University-Springfield, against 54% at University of Central Missouri. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.