Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-Columbia vs Saint Louis Community College: 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 Bridgeton, MO
Saint Louis Community College
- Net price / year
- $8,440
- Earnings, 10 years
- $35,325
- 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 Saint Louis Community College, on median earnings of $63,403 vs $35,325 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | Saint Louis Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $8,440 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $16,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $35,325 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $6,725 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | -$277,580 |
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 Saint Louis Community College?
Saint Louis Community College, at $8,440 a year after aid versus $20,268 — a gap of $11,828 a year, or $64,192 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 Saint Louis Community College graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report a median $63,403 ten years after entry, $28,078 more than the $35,325 at Saint Louis Community College. 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 Saint Louis Community College?
Saint Louis Community College: its completers carry a median $6,725 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia, a difference of $13,775. 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 21% at Saint Louis Community College. 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.