University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Missouri-Kansas City — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Missouri-Kansas City at a Glance
The University of Missouri–Kansas City is a public research university in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. UMKC is part of the University of Missouri System and includes a medical school and a law school. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the university's enrollment was over 15,300 students. It is the largest university in the Kansas City metropolitan area and ranks among the top three by enrollment among all postsecondary institutions in the metro, including community colleges. It offers mo…
1933
93 years old
$204M
$204.14 million (2023) (UMKC only) $2.24 billion (2023) (system-wide)
15,327
10,197 undergrad · 5,130 grad
Identity
Is University of Missouri-Kansas City Worth It?
University of Missouri-Kansas City delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $13,310/year, it's priced 35% below average, while graduates go on to earn $59,637 — 11% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Missouri-Kansas City compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 64 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Farmingdale State College | 88 | $10,867 | $69,781 |
| #3 | Southern Utah University | 72 | $10,462 | $50,296 |
| #4 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | 66 | $18,173 | $67,541 |
| #5 | Rutgers University-Camden | 66 | $18,745 | $74,479 |
| #6 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | 66 | $16,210 | $60,378 |
| #8 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | 62 | $13,310 | $59,637 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Missouri-Kansas City's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MO.
Best Programs at University of Missouri-Kansas City
The highest-earning program at University of Missouri-Kansas City is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Dance at $15,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Missouri-Kansas City earns $68,200, while a Dance graduate earns $15,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,310/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,200 | $68,200 | $26,750 |
| Computer Science | $65,300 | $65,300 | $19,958 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,800 | $61,800 | $20,498 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,400 | $58,400 | $23,997 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $57,600 | $57,600 | $20,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $52,100 | $52,100 | $29,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,200 | $49,200 | $23,642 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,000 | $41,000 | $20,447 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,800 | $36,800 | $27,225 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $35,600 | $35,600 | $29,593 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,400 | $35,400 | $26,681 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,200 | $34,200 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $33,500 | $33,500 | $21,070 |
| Chemistry | $33,400 | $33,400 | $22,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,400 | $32,400 | $22,666 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $31,100 | $31,100 | $22,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,734 |
| Psychology, General | $30,300 | $30,300 | $22,405 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,400 | $26,400 | $18,764 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,000 | $24,000 | $25,000 |
| Dance | $15,800 | $15,800 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kansas City, MO
- Student Body
- 6,817 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,310
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,637
- Median Student Debt
- $18,750