Location: Columbia, MO•In-State Tuition: $14,130•Out-of-State Tuition: $34,338•Admission Rate: 77%•Avg SAT: 1247
Median Earnings (1yr)
$55,999
85th percentile
60th percentile in Missouri
Median Debt
$21,500
17% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.38 ManageableSample: 693 graduates

Analysis

Mizzou's business program delivers exceptional value, ranking in the 85th percentile nationally for graduate earnings while keeping debt manageable at $21,500—well below the national average of $26,000. With first-year graduates earning $56,000, this program significantly outperforms both the national median ($47,506) and Missouri median ($47,676), making it the clear earnings leader among Missouri business programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 is particularly attractive, meaning graduates typically earn back their entire debt load in less than five months of work. The 22% earnings growth from year one to year four demonstrates strong career trajectory potential. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile within Missouri (due to the state's generally strong business program performance), it still leads all other Missouri schools in actual dollar terms by a significant margin of $7,000+ over the next-best option.

For anxious parents, this represents a smart investment: your child gets strong earning potential from a well-established program at a reasonable cost. The 77% admission rate makes it accessible, while the robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these results are reliable and repeatable.

Where University of Missouri-Columbia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

University of Missouri-ColumbiaOther business/commerce programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Missouri-Columbia graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Missouri-Columbia earns $56k — 85th percentile among business/commerce bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Missouri-Columbia$55,999$68,404+22%
Avila University$47,530$65,226+37%
Lindenwood University$47,821$56,644+18%
University of Missouri-St Louis$48,928$54,470+11%
Columbia College$48,329$54,280+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (17 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia$14,130$55,999$68,404$21,5000.38
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis$13,440$48,928$54,470$21,5380.44
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City$11,988$48,603$53,997$21,8530.45
Columbia CollegeColumbia$24,326$48,329$54,280$28,1000.58
Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles$21,100$47,821$56,644$31,0000.65
Avila UniversityKansas City$38,672$47,530$65,226$32,7500.69
National Median—$47,506—$26,0000.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Missouri-Columbia, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 693 graduates with reported earnings and 706 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.