Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-Columbia vs Saint Louis University: 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 Saint Louis, MO
Saint Louis University
- Net price / year
- $24,398
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,783
- Payback
- 4.4 yrs
Saint Louis University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,592 in 4.4 years versus 5.4 years at University of Missouri-Columbia, on median earnings of $70,783 vs $63,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | Saint Louis University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $24,398 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $97,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $70,783 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | $350,868 |
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 University?
University of Missouri-Columbia, at $20,268 a year after aid versus $24,398 — a gap of $4,130 a year, or $16,520 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 University graduates earn more?
Saint Louis University graduates report a median $70,783 ten years after entry, $7,380 more than the $63,403 at University of Missouri-Columbia. 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 University?
University of Missouri-Columbia: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Louis University, a difference of $4,500. 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 75% at University of Missouri-Columbia. 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.