Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-Columbia vs University of Missouri-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
University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Net price / year
- $13,310
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,637
- Payback
- 4.7 yrs
University of Missouri-Kansas City has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,240 in 4.7 years versus 5.4 years at University of Missouri-Columbia, on median earnings of $59,637 vs $63,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Columbia | University of Missouri-Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,268 | $13,310 |
| Total net cost | $81,072 | $53,240 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,403 | $59,637 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 4.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $219,788 | $172,300 |
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 University of Missouri-Kansas City?
University of Missouri-Kansas City, at $13,310 a year after aid versus $20,268 — a gap of $6,958 a year, or $27,832 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 University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates earn more?
University of Missouri-Columbia graduates report a median $63,403 ten years after entry, $3,766 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, University of Missouri-Columbia or University of Missouri-Kansas City?
University of Missouri-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Missouri-Columbia, a difference of $1,750. 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 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.