Head-to-head comparison
University of Missouri-St Louis vs Truman State University: which has better ROI?
Option A Saint Louis, MO
University of Missouri-St Louis
- Net price / year
- $15,071
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,037
- Payback
- 12.9 yrs
Option B Kirksville, MO
Truman State University
- Net price / year
- $12,780
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,280
- Payback
- 6.5 yrs
Truman State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,120 in 6.5 years versus 12.9 years at University of Missouri-St Louis, on median earnings of $56,280 vs $53,037 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Missouri-St Louis | Truman State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,071 | $12,780 |
| Total net cost | $60,284 | $51,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,037 | $56,280 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 12.9 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $33,256 | $107,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Missouri-St Louis or Truman State University?
Truman State University, at $12,780 a year after aid versus $15,071 — a gap of $2,291 a year, or $9,164 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-St Louis or Truman State University graduates earn more?
Truman State University graduates report a median $56,280 ten years after entry, $3,243 more than the $53,037 at University of Missouri-St Louis. 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-St Louis or Truman State University?
University of Missouri-St Louis: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Truman State University, a difference of $1,000. 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?
69% of students finish at Truman State University, against 57% at University of Missouri-St Louis. 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.