Saint Louis, Missouri Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Saint Louis, Missouri shows: median public in-state tuition $22,587 (+309.8% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $53,037 (-2.4% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 93.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $22,500 (+67.5% vs U.S.) 25,801 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 18 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 25,801 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $22,587 (+309.8% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $53,037 (-2.4% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 93.7% (+5.8 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $22,066 (+121.4% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $22,500 (+67.5% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $17,500
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 54.9%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 69.2%
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Missouri and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Saint Louis vs Missouri & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis, Missouri | $22,587 | $22,066 | $22,500 | 54.9% | 25,801 |
| Missouri (state median) | $7,584 | $12,954 | $17,500 | 52.4% | 208,656 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis, Missouri | $53,037 | 93.7% | 69.2% | 5.5% | — | 67.7% | 0.38 |
| Missouri (state median) | $48,991 | 91.3% | 70.8% | 5.9% | — | 71.5% | 0.45 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Missouri (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis, Missouri | $22,587 | $22,066 | $22,500 | 54.9% | 25,801 | $53,037 | 93.7% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Springfield | $12,162 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $46,573 | 88.1% |
| Springfield | $12,162 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $46,573 | 88.1% |
| Springfield | $12,162 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $46,573 | 88.1% |
| Kansas City | $14,094 | $23,006 | $13,516 | 52.6% | 23,895 | $52,773 | 91.0% |
| St. Louis | $19,975 | $21,786 | $9,833 | 97.1% | 8,690 | $89,294 | 85.5% |
| Cape Girardeau | $10,484 | $16,521 | $11,084 | 66.5% | 6,863 | $44,030 | 92.8% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Saint Louis, Missouri
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 7 | $62,105 | 94.1% | 69.2% | 3.9% | — | 69.6% |
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 79.5%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 66.2%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 64.4%, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 56.6%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 47.6%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 27.6%, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 94.3%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 93.7%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 92.6%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 91.6%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 90.5%, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 89.7%, Webster University
Webster University
Top 10 most selective colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 62.7%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 68.6%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 75.0%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 86.2%, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 95.1%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,941, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,122, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $70,400, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,968, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,590, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $66,925, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $34,108, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $102,723, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $99,331, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $86,209, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $79,126, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $66,113, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $64,348, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $53,868, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $60,716, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,047, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,564, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $39,656, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,997, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $26,634, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $66,316, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $59,194, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,418, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,628, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $42,247, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $30,944, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $70,783, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,105, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,037, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,876, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,660, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $31,088, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $473,116, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $194,506, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $192,122, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $163,881, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $144,278, Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $98,074, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $83,944, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $81,176, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $9,922, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $15,071, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 3, Net Price, $22,066, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 4, Net Price, $24,398, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $27,006, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
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Rank 6, Net Price, $27,047, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $31,817, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Top 10 colleges in Saint Louis, Missouri by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 87.8%, Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 84.7%, Maryville University of Saint Louis
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 73.6%, University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 68.7%, Webster University
Webster University
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 68.4%, Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 65.3%, Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University
In-state tuition: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Saint Louis, Missouri median in-state tuition is $22,587, +309.8% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Saint Louis, Missouri is $22,500 (+67.5% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $17,500.
Median earnings (10 years out): Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri center around $53,037 (-2.4% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Saint Louis, Missouri vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 93.7% at the median Saint Louis, Missouri campus (+5.8 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Saint Louis, Missouri median public in-state tuition is $22,587, about +309.8% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +262.8%.
Median graduate debt is $22,500 (+67.5% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Saint Louis, Missouri are $53,037, about -2.4% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 93.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+5.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 69.2% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 67.7% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Maryville University of Saint Louis (94.3%), Saint Louis University (93.7%), Missouri Baptist University (92.6%), University of Missouri-St Louis (91.6%), Harris-Stowe State University (90.5%), Webster University (89.7%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Saint Louis, Missouri, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $62,105 (7 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Saint Louis, Missouri is 54.9% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Saint Louis?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 18 campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Saint Louis?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Saint Louis is $22,587 and median net price is $22,066. For Missouri overall, medians are $7,584 and $12,954; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Saint Louis?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Saint Louis is $53,037 vs $48,991 for Missouri and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Saint Louis colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Saint Louis is $22,500 vs $17,500 for Missouri and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Saint Louis?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Saint Louis University (graduation) and Saint Louis University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Saint Louis?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 18 campuses in Saint Louis, Missouri, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Harris-Stowe State University; 7 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (4), Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (1), The Presbyterian Church in America (1).
Sources & related
- Missouri college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON