
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023
Questions & Answers
What do all these numbers mean?
All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.
What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $15,861 and the average private school would be $22,123. You can also get information on specific Missouri schools in the chart above or the tables below.
Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- College savings and investments
- Payments from current income
- Loans
- Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
- Tax planning
- Student work

Net Price:
Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
Total Cost at University of Missouri-Columbia (2020-21) | |
---|---|
Tuition and Fees | $10,723 |
Room and Board | $10,668 |
Books | $1,032 |
Other Expenses | $5,288 |
Total | $27,711 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
College Total Cost | ||
---|---|---|
Family Income | MO Public $23,126 | MO Private $45,947 |
$0 - $30k | $10,103 | $16,495 |
$30,001 – $48k | $10,605 | $16,747 |
$48,001 – $75k | $12,287 | $18,981 |
$75,001 – $110k | $15,861 | $22,123 |
$110,001+ | $16,773 | $26,688 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Missouri public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $7,000-$10,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Missouri. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public MO Schools Cost Breakdown
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University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,306 $9,071 Room and Board $9,196 $9,358 Books $1,250 $1,250 Other Expenses $2,464 $2,513 Total $21,216 $22,192 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,219 $11,735 $30,001 - $48k $11,518 $12,048 $48,001 - $75k $13,552 $14,175 $75,001 - $110k $16,393 $17,147 $110,001+ $16,822 $17,596 -
Harris-Stowe State University
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $5,484 $5,868 Room and Board $9,691 $9,691 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $6,562 $6,562 Total $22,537 $22,921 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,294 $11,486 $30,001 - $48k $11,424 $11,619 $48,001 - $75k $11,228 $11,419 $75,001 - $110k $15,847 $16,117 $110,001+ $11,975 $12,179 -
Lincoln University
Jefferson City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,370 $8,370 Room and Board $9,122 $9,260 Books $2,000 $2,000 Other Expenses $3,052 $3,052 Total $22,544 $22,682 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,097 $9,153 $30,001 - $48k $10,123 $10,185 $48,001 - $75k $12,054 $12,128 $75,001 - $110k $12,907 $12,986 $110,001+ $14,971 $15,063 -
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $6,964 $7,244 Room and Board $7,209 $7,678 Books $902 $902 Other Expenses $3,389 $3,459 Total $18,464 $19,283 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,132 $8,493 $30,001 - $48k $8,646 $9,030 $48,001 - $75k $10,109 $10,557 $75,001 - $110k $13,063 $13,642 $110,001+ $12,629 $13,189 -
Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,875 $8,875 Room and Board $10,030 $10,200 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,670 $2,670 Total $22,575 $22,745 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,752 $10,833 $30,001 - $48k $11,480 $11,566 $48,001 - $75k $13,697 $13,800 $75,001 - $110k $15,937 $16,057 $110,001+ $16,904 $17,031 -
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,723 $11,475 Room and Board $10,668 $10,796 Books $1,032 $1,032 Other Expenses $5,288 $5,350 Total $27,711 $28,653 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,482 $13,940 $30,001 - $48k $12,992 $13,434 $48,001 - $75k $14,056 $14,534 $75,001 - $110k $19,568 $20,233 $110,001+ $23,533 $24,333
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University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,145 $10,599 Room and Board $11,748 $11,992 Books $770 $770 Other Expenses $3,556 $3,994 Total $26,219 $27,355 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,460 $10,913 $30,001 - $48k $10,985 $11,461 $48,001 - $75k $12,002 $12,522 $75,001 - $110k $17,071 $17,811 $110,001+ $19,281 $20,116 -
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,165 $10,813 Room and Board $10,722 $11,028 Books $690 $782 Other Expenses $2,310 $2,328 Total $23,887 $24,951 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,071 $8,431 $30,001 - $48k $8,340 $8,711 $48,001 - $75k $12,597 $13,158 $75,001 - $110k $15,041 $15,711 $110,001+ $15,340 $16,023 -
University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $10,573 $11,214 Room and Board $10,432 $10,606 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,738 $5,694 Total $26,743 $28,514 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,692 $9,268 $30,001 - $48k $9,582 $10,217 $48,001 - $75k $8,724 $9,302 $75,001 - $110k $16,818 $17,932 $110,001+ $17,934 $19,122 -
Truman State University
Kirksville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,299 $8,689 Room and Board $9,185 $9,313 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,800 $3,800 Total $22,284 $22,802 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,650 $6,805 $30,001 - $48k $8,271 $8,463 $48,001 - $75k $10,901 $11,154 $75,001 - $110k $12,530 $12,821 $110,001+ $14,448 $14,784 -
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,500 $8,852 Room and Board $9,270 $9,548 Books $400 $400 Other Expenses $2,575 $2,575 Total $20,745 $21,375 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,338 $10,652 $30,001 - $48k $10,413 $10,729 $48,001 - $75k $12,300 $12,674 $75,001 - $110k $16,629 $17,134 $110,001+ $17,336 $17,862 -
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $8,033 $8,715 Room and Board $9,511 $9,974 Books $637 $644 Other Expenses $4,816 $4,941 Total $22,997 $24,274 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,684 $11,277 $30,001 - $48k $11,349 $11,979 $48,001 - $75k $13,232 $13,967 $75,001 - $110k $16,641 $17,565 $110,001+ $17,768 $18,755 -
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $7,938 $8,294 Room and Board $9,284 $9,436 Books $1,314 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,184 $4,238 Total $22,720 $23,168 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,473 $12,719 $30,001 - $48k $12,746 $12,997 $48,001 - $75k $15,281 $15,582 $75,001 - $110k $17,749 $18,099 $110,001+ $19,112 $19,489
Private MO Schools Cost Breakdown
-
Avila University
Kansas City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $21,115 $21,740 Room and Board $8,815 $7,516 Books $1,104 $0 Other Expenses $2,168 $2,250 Total $33,202 $31,506 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,238 $14,460 $30,001 - $48k $16,111 $15,288 $48,001 - $75k $19,460 $18,466 $75,001 - $110k $22,159 $21,027 $110,001+ $22,244 $21,108 -
Columbia College
Columbia Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $24,320 $23,840 Room and Board $8,500 $8,500 Books $1,238 $480 Other Expenses $4,576 $4,544 Total $38,634 $37,364 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $27,436 $26,534 $30,001 - $48k $27,035 $26,146 $48,001 - $75k $24,194 $23,399 $75,001 - $110k $24,903 $24,084 $110,001+ $22,407 $21,670 -
Cottey College
Nevada Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $22,770 $23,114 Room and Board $7,800 $7,918 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,644 $2,653 Total $34,314 $34,785 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,629 $17,871 $30,001 - $48k $13,294 $13,476 $48,001 - $75k $15,338 $15,549 $75,001 - $110k $22,087 $22,390 $110,001+ $15,301 $15,511 -
Culver-Stockton College
Canton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $27,740 $28,495 Room and Board $8,865 $9,045 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,696 $3,778 Total $41,401 $42,418 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,418 $17,846 $30,001 - $48k $19,117 $19,587 $48,001 - $75k $21,395 $21,921 $75,001 - $110k $23,843 $24,429 $110,001+ $23,446 $24,022 -
Drury University
Springfield Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $31,215 $32,430 Room and Board $8,194 $9,394 Books $1,200 $1,240 Other Expenses $3,200 $3,700 Total $43,809 $46,764 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,967 $14,909 $30,001 - $48k $15,617 $16,670 $48,001 - $75k $16,656 $17,779 $75,001 - $110k $20,030 $21,381 $110,001+ $22,890 $24,434 -
Evangel University
Springfield Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,037 $25,748 Room and Board $8,776 $9,040 Books $942 $756 Other Expenses $4,409 $4,433 Total $39,164 $39,977 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,517 $17,881 $30,001 - $48k $16,904 $17,255 $48,001 - $75k $22,940 $23,416 $75,001 - $110k $21,963 $22,419 $110,001+ $23,911 $24,407 -
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $27,790 $28,200 Room and Board $10,495 $10,700 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,796 $4,796 Total $44,081 $44,696 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,554 $14,757 $30,001 - $48k $12,575 $12,750 $48,001 - $75k $19,932 $20,210 $75,001 - $110k $21,788 $22,092 $110,001+ $27,649 $28,035 -
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Hannibal Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $24,000 $24,500 Room and Board $8,300 $8,500 Books $878 $950 Other Expenses $3,303 $3,500 Total $36,481 $37,450 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,504 $23,102 $30,001 - $48k $10,363 $10,638 $48,001 - $75k $15,149 $15,551 $75,001 - $110k $16,238 $16,669 $110,001+ $17,387 $17,849 -
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $18,100 $18,640 Room and Board $9,200 $10,200 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $2,900 $2,900 Total $31,500 $33,040 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,372 $15,075 $30,001 - $48k $14,503 $15,212 $48,001 - $75k $17,373 $18,222 $75,001 - $110k $18,909 $19,833 $110,001+ $19,100 $20,034 -
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $27,166 $27,166 Room and Board $12,000 $12,000 Books $3,176 $0 Other Expenses $6,664 $8,536 Total $49,006 $47,702 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,294 $19,754 $30,001 - $48k $20,727 $20,175 $48,001 - $75k $22,688 $22,084 $75,001 - $110k $27,178 $26,455 $110,001+ $27,249 $26,524 -
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $29,360 $30,548 Room and Board $10,730 $11,040 Books $1,298 $1,298 Other Expenses $2,770 $2,845 Total $44,158 $45,731 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $22,156 $22,945 $30,001 - $48k $19,035 $19,713 $48,001 - $75k $23,162 $23,987 $75,001 - $110k $22,875 $23,690 $110,001+ $24,776 $25,659
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Missouri Valley College
Marshall Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $21,500 $22,000 Room and Board $9,800 $10,000 Books $1,750 $1,800 Other Expenses $2,170 $2,230 Total $35,220 $36,030 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,539 $19,988 $30,001 - $48k $18,310 $18,731 $48,001 - $75k $17,362 $17,761 $75,001 - $110k $18,279 $18,699 $110,001+ $17,735 $18,143 -
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $19,960 $19,960 Room and Board $7,900 $7,900 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,460 $2,496 Total $31,420 $31,456 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,937 $7,946 $30,001 - $48k $6,694 $6,702 $48,001 - $75k $7,156 $7,164 $75,001 - $110k $5,897 $5,904 $110,001+ $0 $0 -
Park University
Parkville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $11,929 $12,280 Room and Board $7,644 $8,084 Books $1,485 $1,485 Other Expenses $3,500 $3,500 Total $24,558 $25,349 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,498 $14,965 $30,001 - $48k $14,697 $15,170 $48,001 - $75k $17,482 $18,045 $75,001 - $110k $19,098 $19,713 $110,001+ $18,248 $18,836 -
Rockhurst University
Kansas City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $39,780 $40,480 Room and Board $9,800 $10,030 Books $1,530 $2,000 Other Expenses $4,695 $4,855 Total $55,805 $57,365 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,354 $14,755 $30,001 - $48k $18,501 $19,018 $48,001 - $75k $20,566 $21,141 $75,001 - $110k $22,782 $23,419 $110,001+ $25,657 $26,374 -
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $47,124 $48,824 Room and Board $12,920 $13,310 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,648 $3,646 Total $64,892 $66,980 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,954 $22,660 $30,001 - $48k $22,367 $23,087 $48,001 - $75k $24,051 $24,825 $75,001 - $110k $26,850 $27,714 $110,001+ $31,569 $32,585 -
Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,508 $26,128 Room and Board $8,040 $8,150 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000 Total $37,048 $37,778 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,465 $16,789 $30,001 - $48k $14,809 $15,101 $48,001 - $75k $16,988 $17,323 $75,001 - $110k $20,468 $20,871 $110,001+ $19,026 $19,401 -
Stephens College
Columbia Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $23,385 $24,570 Room and Board $10,586 $11,000 Books $2,200 $3,000 Other Expenses $3,080 $4,000 Total $39,251 $42,570 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,982 $23,841 $30,001 - $48k $26,721 $28,980 $48,001 - $75k $22,952 $24,893 $75,001 - $110k $23,225 $25,189 $110,001+ $23,753 $25,762 -
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $57,386 $58,866 Room and Board $17,402 $17,900 Books $1,144 $1,158 Other Expenses $3,654 $3,696 Total $79,586 $81,620 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $3,263 $3,346 $30,001 - $48k $4,928 $5,054 $48,001 - $75k $9,248 $9,484 $75,001 - $110k $27,028 $27,719 $110,001+ $50,273 $51,558 -
Webster University
Saint Louis Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $28,700 $28,700 Room and Board $11,120 $11,120 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $5,812 $5,812 Total $46,632 $46,632 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,111 $20,111 $30,001 - $48k $19,512 $19,512 $48,001 - $75k $22,643 $22,643 $75,001 - $110k $25,988 $25,988 $110,001+ $27,742 $27,742 -
Westminster College
Fulton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $30,880 $32,124 Room and Board $10,842 $11,414 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $4,170 $4,344 Total $46,992 $48,982 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,589 $21,461 $30,001 - $48k $20,728 $21,606 $48,001 - $75k $21,190 $22,087 $75,001 - $110k $23,070 $24,047 $110,001+ $27,065 $28,211 -
William Jewell College
Liberty Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,450 $19,310 Room and Board $10,220 $9,860 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $3,868 $3,868 Total $49,338 $33,838 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,074 $10,338 $30,001 - $48k $13,939 $9,560 $48,001 - $75k $15,078 $10,341 $75,001 - $110k $21,488 $14,737 $110,001+ $24,368 $16,713 -
William Woods University
Fulton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $25,930 $26,730 Room and Board $9,990 $10,190 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $6,562 $6,782 Total $43,782 $45,002 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,505 $22,104 $30,001 - $48k $22,473 $23,099 $48,001 - $75k $23,515 $24,170 $75,001 - $110k $24,879 $25,572 $110,001+ $25,509 $26,220
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