Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-Columbia vs State Technical College of Missouri: 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 Linn, MO
State Technical College of Missouri
- Net price / year
- $15,190
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,901
- Payback
- 4 yrs
State Technical College of Missouri has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $30,380 in 4 years versus 5.4 years at University of Missouri-Columbia, on median earnings of $55,901 vs $63,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | State Technical College of Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $15,190 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $30,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $55,901 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $10,986 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | $120,440 |
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 State Technical College of Missouri?
State Technical College of Missouri, at $15,190 a year after aid versus $20,268 — a gap of $5,078 a year, or $50,692 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 State Technical College of Missouri graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report a median $63,403 ten years after entry, $7,502 more than the $55,901 at State Technical College of 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, University of Missouri-Columbia or State Technical College of Missouri?
State Technical College of Missouri: its completers carry a median $10,986 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia, a difference of $9,514. 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?
84% of students finish at State Technical College of Missouri, 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.