Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-Kansas City vs Maryville University of Saint Louis: which has better ROI?
Option A Kansas City, MO
University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Net price / year
- $13,310
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,637
- Payback
- 4.7 yrs
Option B Saint Louis, MO
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Net price / year
- $22,066
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,105
- Payback
- 6.4 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 6.4 years at Maryville University of Saint Louis, on median earnings of $59,637 vs $62,105 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Maryville University of Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,310 | $22,066 |
| Total net cost | $53,240 | $88,264 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,637 | $62,105 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $22,000 |
| Payback | 4.7 yrs | 6.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $172,300 | $186,636 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-Kansas City or Maryville University of Saint Louis?
University of Missouri-Kansas City, at $13,310 a year after aid versus $22,066 — a gap of $8,756 a year, or $35,024 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-Kansas City or Maryville University of Saint Louis graduates earn more?
Maryville University of Saint Louis graduates report a median $62,105 ten years after entry, $2,468 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-Kansas City or Maryville University of Saint Louis?
University of Missouri-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Maryville University of Saint Louis, a difference of $3,250. 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?
66% of students finish at Maryville University of Saint Louis, 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.