Head-to-head comparison
Saint Louis University vs University of Missouri-Kansas City: which has better ROI?
Option A Saint Louis, MO
Saint Louis University
- Net price / year
- $24,398
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,783
- Payback
- 4.4 yrs
Option B Kansas City, MO
University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Net price / year
- $13,310
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,637
- Payback
- 4.7 yrs
Saint Louis University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,592 in 4.4 years versus 4.7 years at University of Missouri-Kansas City, on median earnings of $70,783 vs $59,637 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Louis University | University of Missouri-Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,398 | $13,310 |
| Total net cost | $97,592 | $53,240 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,783 | $59,637 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 4.4 yrs | 4.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $350,868 | $172,300 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Saint Louis University or University of Missouri-Kansas City?
University of Missouri-Kansas City, at $13,310 a year after aid versus $24,398 — a gap of $11,088 a year, or $44,352 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 Saint Louis University or University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates earn more?
Saint Louis University graduates report a median $70,783 ten years after entry, $11,146 more than the $59,637 at University of Missouri-Kansas City. 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, Saint Louis University or University of Missouri-Kansas City?
University of Missouri-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Louis University, a difference of $6,250. 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?
80% of students finish at Saint Louis University, against 55% at University of Missouri-Kansas City. 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.