Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-Columbia vs Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City: which has better ROI?
Option A Columbia, MO
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Net price / year
- $20,268
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,403
- Payback
- 5.4 yrs
Option B Kansas City, MO
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
- Net price / year
- $8,398
- Earnings, 10 years
- $40,796
- Payback
- No payback
University of Missouri-Columbia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $81,072 in 5.4 years versus not at all at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, on median earnings of $63,403 vs $40,796 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $8,398 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $16,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $40,796 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $10,073 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | -$168,076 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-Columbia or Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City?
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, at $8,398 a year after aid versus $20,268 — a gap of $11,870 a year, or $64,276 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 University of Missouri-Columbia or Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report a median $63,403 ten years after entry, $22,607 more than the $40,796 at Metropolitan Community College-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, University of Missouri-Columbia or Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City?
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $10,073 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia, a difference of $10,427. 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?
75% of students finish at University of Missouri-Columbia, against 34% at Metropolitan Community College-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.