
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2020
Questions & Answers
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What do all these numbers mean?
All costs are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket. Net cost is the total cost of attendance minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Loans of any kind are not included. Figures are based on data from the 2017-18 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2020.
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What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for 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.
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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 $15,682 and the average private school would be $22,117. You can also get information on specific Missouri schools in the chart above or the tables below.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The costs on this chart seemed 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 our Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents, which describes how you and your student can win scholarships for college and save money!)
- tax planning
- student work

Net Price:
Net price is the total cost of attendance minus the average amount of government grants and institutional scholarships awarded. 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 (2017-18) | |
---|---|
Tuition and Fees | $9,787 |
Room and Board | $10,676 |
Books | $1,372 |
Other Expenses | $4,776 |
Total | $26,611 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2017-18 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2020. 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 | ||
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Family Income | MO Public $21,207 | MO Private $42,346 |
$0 - $30k | $10,042 | $17,045 |
$30,001 – $48k | $10,688 | $16,993 |
$48,001 – $75k | $13,218 | $18,687 |
$75,001 – $110k | $15,682 | $22,117 |
$110,001+ | $16,603 | $26,308 |
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 $6,000-$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 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,520 $7,673 Room and Board $8,644 $8,830 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,400 $2,450 Total $19,564 $19,953 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,807 $11,022 $30,001 - $48k $11,328 $11,553 $48,001 - $75k $13,929 $14,206 $75,001 - $110k $15,638 $15,949 $110,001+ $15,850 $16,165 -
Harris-Stowe State University
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $5,340 $5,388 Room and Board $9,250 $9,491 Books $800 $1,000 Other Expenses $5,766 $5,899 Total $21,156 $21,778 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,655 $10,968 $30,001 - $48k $10,420 $10,726 $48,001 - $75k $12,773 $13,149 $75,001 - $110k $14,888 $15,326 $110,001+ $17,724 $18,245 -
Lincoln University
Jefferson City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,632 $7,632 Room and Board $6,770 $7,068 Books $1,000 $2,000 Other Expenses $3,052 $3,052 Total $18,454 $19,752 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,282 $11,005 $30,001 - $48k $10,911 $11,678 $48,001 - $75k $13,427 $14,371 $75,001 - $110k $14,517 $15,538 $110,001+ $11,528 $12,339 -
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $6,067 $6,503 Room and Board $6,901 $7,004 Books $824 $831 Other Expenses $3,328 $3,328 Total $17,120 $17,666 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,118 $8,377 $30,001 - $48k $8,432 $8,701 $48,001 - $75k $10,946 $11,295 $75,001 - $110k $12,750 $13,157 $110,001+ $12,501 $12,900 -
Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,570 $7,960 Room and Board $8,730 $8,950 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,665 $2,665 Total $19,965 $20,575 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,528 $8,789 $30,001 - $48k $8,536 $8,797 $48,001 - $75k $11,330 $11,676 $75,001 - $110k $13,368 $13,776 $110,001+ $15,184 $15,648 -
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,787 $9,972 Room and Board $10,676 $10,786 Books $1,372 $1,232 Other Expenses $4,776 $4,776 Total $26,611 $26,766 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,236 $13,313 $30,001 - $48k $14,246 $14,329 $48,001 - $75k $16,343 $16,438 $75,001 - $110k $20,314 $20,432 $110,001+ $23,592 $23,729
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University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,011 $8,178 Room and Board $11,026 $11,498 Books $1,002 $926 Other Expenses $3,490 $3,514 Total $23,529 $24,116 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,459 $11,745 $30,001 - $48k $12,310 $12,617 $48,001 - $75k $14,689 $15,055 $75,001 - $110k $17,119 $17,546 $110,001+ $17,909 $18,356 -
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,246 $9,440 Room and Board $10,094 $10,274 Books $822 $838 Other Expenses $1,850 $1,888 Total $22,012 $22,440 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,937 $10,130 $30,001 - $48k $11,375 $11,596 $48,001 - $75k $14,235 $14,512 $75,001 - $110k $15,904 $16,213 $110,001+ $17,233 $17,568 -
University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,590 $9,792 Room and Board $10,140 $10,140 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,042 $3,962 Total $24,772 $24,894 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,565 $7,602 $30,001 - $48k $9,420 $9,466 $48,001 - $75k $11,165 $11,220 $75,001 - $110k $15,928 $16,006 $110,001+ $16,551 $16,633 -
Truman State University
Kirksville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,656 $7,749 Room and Board $8,638 $8,780 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,800 $3,800 Total $21,094 $21,329 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,230 $8,322 $30,001 - $48k $8,893 $8,992 $48,001 - $75k $11,418 $11,545 $75,001 - $110k $14,525 $14,687 $110,001+ $15,966 $16,144 -
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,657 $7,844 Room and Board $8,714 $8,932 Books $400 $400 Other Expenses $2,575 $2,575 Total $19,346 $19,751 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,285 $9,479 $30,001 - $48k $9,757 $9,961 $48,001 - $75k $11,997 $12,248 $75,001 - $110k $14,622 $14,928 $110,001+ $15,744 $16,074 -
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,185 $7,418 Room and Board $8,715 $8,935 Books $514 $624 Other Expenses $4,590 $4,593 Total $21,004 $21,570 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,049 $10,320 $30,001 - $48k $10,443 $10,724 $48,001 - $75k $13,410 $13,771 $75,001 - $110k $16,051 $16,484 $110,001+ $17,102 $17,563 -
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,306 $7,376 Room and Board $8,537 $8,755 Books $1,100 $1,250 Other Expenses $4,119 $4,401 Total $21,062 $21,782 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,401 $12,825 $30,001 - $48k $12,878 $13,318 $48,001 - $75k $16,170 $16,723 $75,001 - $110k $18,248 $18,872 $110,001+ $18,953 $19,601
Private MO Schools Cost Breakdown
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Avila University
Kansas City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $28,020 $19,900 Room and Board $8,546 $8,564 Books $1,056 $1,072 Other Expenses $2,034 $2,062 Total $39,656 $31,598 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,603 $15,620 $30,001 - $48k $15,306 $12,196 $48,001 - $75k $17,058 $13,592 $75,001 - $110k $20,667 $16,468 $110,001+ $21,297 $16,970 -
Columbia College
Columbia Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,936 $22,704 Room and Board $7,094 $7,808 Books $1,242 $1,264 Other Expenses $3,936 $4,576 Total $34,208 $36,352 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $25,162 $26,739 $30,001 - $48k $23,933 $25,433 $48,001 - $75k $22,778 $24,206 $75,001 - $110k $24,151 $25,665 $110,001+ $22,174 $23,564 -
Cottey College
Nevada Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $20,200 $21,160 Room and Board $7,400 $7,700 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,440 $2,576 Total $31,140 $32,536 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,143 $17,912 $30,001 - $48k $18,047 $18,856 $48,001 - $75k $18,169 $18,984 $75,001 - $110k $19,948 $20,842 $110,001+ $23,461 $24,513 -
Culver-Stockton College
Canton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $26,040 $26,680 Room and Board $8,310 $8,520 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,400 $3,500 Total $38,850 $39,800 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,398 $16,799 $30,001 - $48k $17,507 $17,935 $48,001 - $75k $20,554 $21,057 $75,001 - $110k $22,071 $22,611 $110,001+ $24,754 $25,359 -
Drury University
Springfield Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $27,015 $28,515 Room and Board $8,036 $8,036 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,200 $3,200 Total $39,451 $40,951 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,483 $16,072 $30,001 - $48k $16,870 $17,511 $48,001 - $75k $15,794 $16,395 $75,001 - $110k $20,473 $21,251 $110,001+ $22,677 $23,539 -
Evangel University
Springfield Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $22,745 $23,421 Room and Board $8,196 $8,522 Books $1,188 $1,188 Other Expenses $3,836 $4,243 Total $35,965 $37,374 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,139 $20,928 $30,001 - $48k $19,178 $19,929 $48,001 - $75k $22,095 $22,961 $75,001 - $110k $23,006 $23,907 $110,001+ $24,865 $25,839 -
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $25,460 $26,340 Room and Board $9,506 $9,846 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,796 $4,796 Total $40,762 $41,982 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,661 $18,190 $30,001 - $48k $17,545 $18,070 $48,001 - $75k $17,905 $18,441 $75,001 - $110k $23,423 $24,124 $110,001+ $24,770 $25,511 -
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Hannibal Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $21,810 $22,750 Room and Board $8,108 $8,108 Books $1,070 $636 Other Expenses $5,020 $3,206 Total $36,008 $34,700 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,331 $20,556 $30,001 - $48k $19,200 $18,503 $48,001 - $75k $19,650 $18,936 $75,001 - $110k $21,342 $20,567 $110,001+ $23,542 $22,687 -
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $16,960 $17,600 Room and Board $8,800 $9,000 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,600 $2,700 Total $30,560 $30,500 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,188 $16,156 $30,001 - $48k $15,719 $15,688 $48,001 - $75k $16,816 $16,783 $75,001 - $110k $18,809 $18,772 $110,001+ $21,057 $21,016 -
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $28,470 $28,470 Room and Board $12,156 $10,088 Books $0 $0 Other Expenses $7,518 $7,518 Total $48,144 $46,076 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,337 $18,506 $30,001 - $48k $20,893 $19,996 $48,001 - $75k $23,641 $22,626 $75,001 - $110k $29,065 $27,817 $110,001+ $29,642 $28,369 -
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $26,020 $27,124 Room and Board $11,105 $10,000 Books $1,298 $1,298 Other Expenses $2,762 $2,763 Total $41,185 $41,185 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,936 $18,936 $30,001 - $48k $18,857 $18,857 $48,001 - $75k $19,644 $19,644 $75,001 - $110k $21,857 $21,857 $110,001+ $23,476 $23,476
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Missouri Valley College
Marshall Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $20,200 $20,600 Room and Board $8,750 $9,150 Books $2,830 $2,890 Other Expenses $2,050 $2,090 Total $33,830 $34,730 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,324 $17,785 $30,001 - $48k $18,045 $18,525 $48,001 - $75k $19,489 $20,007 $75,001 - $110k $22,580 $23,181 $110,001+ $23,299 $23,919 -
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $19,130 $19,360 Room and Board $7,100 $7,400 Books $1,000 $1,100 Other Expenses $2,309 $2,360 Total $29,539 $30,220 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,152 $10,386 $30,001 - $48k $7,490 $7,663 $48,001 - $75k $9,595 $9,816 $75,001 - $110k $9,322 $9,537 $110,001+ $9,883 $10,111 -
Park University
Parkville Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $10,774 $11,572 Room and Board $7,672 $7,672 Books $1,690 $1,755 Other Expenses $3,346 $3,500 Total $23,482 $24,499 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,295 $15,957 $30,001 - $48k $14,191 $14,806 $48,001 - $75k $18,268 $19,059 $75,001 - $110k $17,489 $18,246 $110,001+ $18,118 $18,903 -
Rockhurst University
Kansas City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $36,590 $37,590 Room and Board $9,360 $9,570 Books $1,530 $1,530 Other Expenses $4,151 $4,341 Total $51,631 $53,031 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,965 $17,425 $30,001 - $48k $17,684 $18,164 $48,001 - $75k $20,867 $21,433 $75,001 - $110k $22,274 $22,878 $110,001+ $24,630 $25,298 -
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $42,166 $43,884 Room and Board $10,996 $12,290 Books $1,000 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,052 $3,644 Total $57,214 $61,018 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,324 $21,675 $30,001 - $48k $20,685 $22,060 $48,001 - $75k $22,703 $24,212 $75,001 - $110k $26,946 $28,738 $110,001+ $33,053 $35,251 -
Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $23,358 $24,078 Room and Board $7,600 $7,720 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000 Total $34,458 $35,298 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,984 $17,398 $30,001 - $48k $12,824 $13,137 $48,001 - $75k $14,253 $14,600 $75,001 - $110k $19,396 $19,869 $110,001+ $21,201 $21,718 -
Stephens College
Columbia Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $30,344 $30,950 Room and Board $10,424 $10,071 Books $2,000 $2,000 Other Expenses $2,380 $2,380 Total $45,148 $45,401 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $21,423 $21,543 $30,001 - $48k $20,882 $20,999 $48,001 - $75k $20,937 $21,054 $75,001 - $110k $24,665 $24,803 $110,001+ $31,260 $31,435 -
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $51,533 $53,399 Room and Board $16,006 $16,440 Books $992 $1,010 Other Expenses $3,444 $3,512 Total $71,975 $74,361 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $5,724 $5,914 $30,001 - $48k $6,194 $6,399 $48,001 - $75k $12,089 $12,490 $75,001 - $110k $23,806 $24,595 $110,001+ $44,365 $45,836 -
Webster University
Saint Louis Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $27,100 $27,900 Room and Board $11,050 $11,050 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $5,812 $5,812 Total $44,962 $45,762 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,413 $18,741 $30,001 - $48k $20,068 $20,425 $48,001 - $75k $21,051 $21,426 $75,001 - $110k $24,314 $24,747 $110,001+ $27,020 $27,501 -
Westminster College
Fulton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $25,940 $27,600 Room and Board $9,810 $10,140 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $3,660 $3,790 Total $40,510 $42,630 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,772 $18,702 $30,001 - $48k $17,743 $18,672 $48,001 - $75k $18,240 $19,195 $75,001 - $110k $22,623 $23,807 $110,001+ $26,422 $27,805 -
William Jewell College
Liberty Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $33,620 $34,400 Room and Board $9,640 $9,930 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $3,868 $3,868 Total $47,928 $48,998 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,395 $16,761 $30,001 - $48k $15,738 $16,089 $48,001 - $75k $19,125 $19,552 $75,001 - $110k $24,554 $25,102 $110,001+ $26,732 $27,329 -
William Woods University
Fulton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $23,260 $24,110 Room and Board $9,400 $9,700 Books $1,200 $1,300 Other Expenses $5,000 $5,900 Total $38,860 $41,010 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,660 $21,803 $30,001 - $48k $20,959 $22,119 $48,001 - $75k $19,341 $20,411 $75,001 - $110k $21,499 $22,688 $110,001+ $22,781 $24,041
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