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Is University of Missouri-Columbia worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of Missouri-Columbia, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
University of Missouri-Columbia lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $20,500 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $63,403, but the margin is not huge. For context, University of Missouri-Columbia's net price runs about 52% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$20,006
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $6,852 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $27,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$20,268
Median earnings 10 years out
$63,403
Median debt at graduation
$20,500
Graduation rate
76%
At University of Missouri-Columbia, a typical graduate carries about $20,500 in student debt and earns roughly $63,403 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $233 per month, or 4% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of Missouri-Columbia is a public four year school in Columbia, MO. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Lincoln
Jefferson City, MO
Worth-It Score: 38/100
Median net price: $19,092
Public 4-year
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $17,613
Public 4-year
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla, MO
Worth-It Score: 79/100
Median net price: $16,298
Public 4-year
Northwest Missouri State
Maryville, MO
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $16,244
Public 4-year
Southeast Missouri State
Cape Girardeau, MO
Worth-It Score: 59/100
Median net price: $15,882
Common questions about University of Missouri-Columbia
The median net price at University of Missouri-Columbia is $20,268 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Missouri? See the most affordable public universities in Missouri →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →