Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 54.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 56.9%
- Retention Rate
- 68.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $53,037
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $212/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $95,376 | $167,750 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $80,718 | $28,405 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $79,389 | |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $78,343 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,714 | $18,698 |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $67,995 | $46,923 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $63,005 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,814 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $60,523 | $18,945 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $60,523 | $27,250 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,350 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $58,943 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,845 | $24,187 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $47,595 | $42,593 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $47,260 |
Outcomes Overview
UMSL graduates earn a median of $53,037 within ten years, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 38% with typical debt loads of $20,000. Monthly loan payments of $212 consume about 5% of graduates' income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong ties to St. Louis businesses help explain the impressive 96.1% employment rate. Many graduates enter healthcare administration, K-12 education, and regional corporate roles where UMSL's reputation carries weight. Alumni like former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius demonstrate the school's pipeline into public service careers. With reasonable debt levels and solid regional employment prospects, UMSL delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.