At $15,336/yr net price, University of Central Missouri graduates earn $49,560/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,560/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,336 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,344 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,560/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,560/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,862/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,458/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,997/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,915/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,752/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $98,137 | $27,619 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Master | $72,762 | |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $65,573 | $20,850 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $59,937 | $24,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $59,124 | |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $58,402 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,131 | $18,268 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $57,860 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $19,593 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $55,512 |
The Risk Factor
49.4% of students at University of Central Missouri graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of Central Missouri gives you a solid but not spectacular financial return. You pay about $15,000 a year and carry $21,000 in debt at graduation, which is manageable against the $49,560 median earnings ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio keeps most graduates out of trouble, but the middling number reflects a real weakness: fewer than half of you finish in the standard window, and only 7 in 10 return after freshman year.
The programs that pay off here are the technical and applied ones. Construction Management leads at $65,573 with debt under $21,000, one of the best cost-to-earnings trades on campus. Engineering Technology, Quality Control and Safety, and Registered Nursing all clear $58,000. Nursing is the smartest bet of the group, pairing strong pay with the lowest debt on the list, around $18,000. These fields feed directly into Missouri's construction, manufacturing, and healthcare employers, so the regional job market backs them up.
The risk is finishing. A 49% graduation rate means you might pay for years and leave without a degree, still owing money but earning like someone who never enrolled. If you're not confident you'll complete a program, that risk hits your wallet hardest.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay around $12,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $18,750, and the return gets thinner unless you land in one of the high-earning technical majors.
This school fits you if you're aiming for construction, engineering tech, safety, or nursing and you'll see it through. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to lower-earning majors or uncertain about finishing, since the completion odds here make that gamble expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Central Missouri worth the cost?
With graduates earning $49,560 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $21,000, University of Central Missouri offers a reasonable return on investment. However, the 49% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degree.
What are the best paying majors at University of Central Missouri?
Nursing programs at University of Central Missouri lead to the highest earnings at $98,137 annually. Quality Control and Safety Technologies ($72,762) and Construction Management ($65,573) also provide strong returns that justify the investment.
How much debt do University of Central Missouri graduates have?
University of Central Missouri graduates carry a median debt load of $21,000, which is manageable given the typical graduate earnings of $49,560. This debt-to-income ratio allows most graduates to pay off loans within a reasonable timeframe.
Does University of Central Missouri have good job placement after graduation?
University of Central Missouri's 49% graduation rate is below average, indicating completion challenges that could affect career outcomes. Students who do graduate and choose high-demand programs like nursing or construction management typically find good employment opportunities.