Springfield, Missouri Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in Springfield, Missouri: median public in-state tuition $14,822 (+168.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $43,634 (-19.8% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 87.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $20,979 (+58.1% vs U.S.) 27,085 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 13 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 27,085 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $14,822 (+168.9% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $43,634 (-19.8% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 87.0% (-1.0 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $18,141 (+82.0% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $20,979 (+58.1% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $16,750
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 57.9%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 71.5%

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Overview

Colleges and universities in Springfield serve students across Missouri with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 13 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 27,085 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $14,822. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Springfield, Missouri and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Springfield vs Missouri & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Springfield, Missouri$14,822$18,141$20,97957.9%27,085
Missouri (state median)$7,584$12,954$16,75053.0%208,336
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221

Earnings & employment outcomes: Springfield, 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.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
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
Springfield, Missouri$43,63487.0%71.5%6.1%—72.6%0.52
Missouri (state median)$48,99191.3%71.0%5.8%—71.5%0.45
United States$54,38488.0%76.4%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Missouri (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Springfield, Missouri$14,822$18,141$20,97957.9%27,085$43,63487.0%
Columbia$25,826$21,492$22,19042.7%29,377$45,37887.6%
Columbia$25,826$21,492$22,19042.7%29,377$45,37887.6%
Columbia$25,826$21,492$22,19042.7%29,377$45,37887.6%
Saint Louis$27,166$22,066$22,00056.6%25,594$57,57193.2%
Kansas City$14,094$23,006$13,51652.6%23,895$52,77391.0%
Kansas City$14,094$23,006$13,51652.6%23,895$52,77391.0%
St. Louis$19,975$21,786$13,66697.1%8,577$89,29485.5%
Cape Girardeau$10,484$16,521$11,08466.5%6,863$44,03092.8%
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

Outcomes by sector in Springfield, 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 nonprofit5$40,69486.0%66.7%6.4%—71.6%

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 65.0%, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 61.8%, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 57.9%, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 43.2%, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.3%, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 88.1%, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 84.3%, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 84.3%, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 3 most selective colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 57.6%, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 71.6%, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 90.5%, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,731, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $64,005, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $54,723, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $43,374, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $98,563, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $80,200, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $61,176, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $52,286, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,553, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $39,332, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,508, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,508, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,032, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $41,521, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,507, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,507, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $49,827, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,573, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $40,694, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $40,694, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

Top 6 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $143,487, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $137,569, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $118,554, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $99,384, Evangel University-College of Online Learning

    Evangel University-College of Online Learning

    Private nonprofit · 240 enrolled · Springfield

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $92,162, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $65,332, Mission University

    Mission University

    Private nonprofit · 381 enrolled · Springfield

Top 5 most affordable colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $10,566, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $17,613, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $18,669, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $20,831, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $21,383, Mission University

    Mission University

    Private nonprofit · 381 enrolled · Springfield

Top 4 colleges in Springfield, 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.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 79.2%, Drury University

    Drury University

    Private nonprofit · 1,383 enrolled · Springfield

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 77.2%, Missouri State University-Springfield

    Missouri State University-Springfield

    Public · 13,313 enrolled · Springfield

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 76.4%, Evangel University

    Evangel University

    Private nonprofit · 1,229 enrolled · Springfield

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 50.0%, Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

    Private nonprofit · 632 enrolled · Springfield

In-state tuition: Springfield, Missouri vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Springfield, Missouri median in-state tuition is $14,822, +168.9% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Springfield, Missouri vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Springfield, Missouri is $20,979 (+58.1% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.

Median earnings (10 years out): Springfield, Missouri vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Springfield, Missouri center around $43,634 (-19.8% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Springfield, Missouri vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 87.0% at the median Springfield, Missouri campus (-1.0 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

Springfield, Missouri median public in-state tuition is $14,822, about +168.9% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +138.1%.

Median graduate debt is $20,979 (+58.1% above the U.S. median of $13,271). 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 Springfield, Missouri are $43,634, about -19.8% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).

The median campus reports 87.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-1.0 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 71.5% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 6.1% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 72.6% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Missouri State University-Springfield (91.3%), Evangel University (88.1%), Drury University (84.3%), Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies (84.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Springfield, Missouri, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $40,694 (5 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 Springfield, Missouri is 57.9% (national institution average about 50.3%).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Springfield?

This city profile covers 13 campuses in Springfield, Missouri with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Springfield?

Median in-state tuition in Springfield is $14,822 and median net price is $18,141. For Missouri overall, medians are $7,584 and $12,954; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in Springfield?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Springfield is $43,634 vs $48,991 for Missouri and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for Springfield colleges?

Median completer debt in Springfield is $20,979 vs $16,750 for Missouri and $13,271 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Springfield?

Top campuses on this page include Evangel University (graduation) and Missouri State University-Springfield (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Springfield?

Among 13 campuses in Springfield, Missouri, 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (2), Assemblies of God Church (2), Baptist (1).

Sources & related