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

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in Independence, Missouri: median public in-state tuition $14,940 (+171.0% vs national median) median graduate debt $16,575 (+24.9% vs U.S.) 157 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 157 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $14,940 (+171.0% vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $20,947 (+110.1% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $16,575 (+24.9% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $16,750

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Overview

Colleges and universities in Independence serve students across Missouri with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 157 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $14,940. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Independence, Missouri and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Independence 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
Independence, Missouri$14,940$20,947$16,575N/A157
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: Independence, 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
Independence, MissouriN/AN/AN/A——N/AN/A
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)
Independence, Missouri$14,940$20,947$16,575N/A157N/AN/A
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%
Springfield$14,822$18,141$20,97957.9%27,085$43,63487.0%
Springfield$14,822$18,141$20,97957.9%27,085$43,63487.0%
Springfield$14,822$18,141$20,97957.9%27,085$43,63487.0%
Springfield$14,822$18,141$20,97957.9%27,085$43,63487.0%
Saint Louis$27,166$22,066$22,00056.6%25,594$57,57193.2%
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

In-state tuition: Independence, Missouri vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Independence, Missouri median in-state tuition is $14,940, +171.0% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Independence, Missouri vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Independence, Missouri is $16,575 (+24.9% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.

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

Independence, Missouri median public in-state tuition is $14,940, about +171.0% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +140.0%.

Median graduate debt is $16,575 (+24.9% 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Independence?

This city profile covers 2 campuses in Independence, Missouri with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Independence?

Median in-state tuition in Independence is $14,940 and median net price is $20,947. For Missouri overall, medians are $7,584 and $12,954; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in Independence?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Independence is N/A vs $48,991 for Missouri and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for Independence colleges?

Median completer debt in Independence is $16,575 vs $16,750 for Missouri and $13,271 nationally.

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

Among 2 College Scorecard campuses in Independence, Missouri, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.

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