Head-to-head · 2026
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City vs Washington University in St Louis
Compare average net price ($8,398 at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City; $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis), ROI score (12.14 vs 9.89), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,796 vs $86,182), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City; 12.1% at Washington University in St Louis) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.14 ✓ | 9.89 |
| Avg net price | $8,398 ✓ | $21,786 |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,592 ✓ | $87,144 |
| In-state tuition | $3,630 | $65,790 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,600 | $65,790 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,796 | $86,182 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 12.1% |
| Graduation rate | 33.6% | 94.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 66.8% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,073 ✓ | $17,500 |
| Enrollment | 10,649 | 7,857 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1530 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,279 | $1,716 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,449 | $1,928 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,621 | $5,578 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,667 ✓ | $12,603 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,171 ✓ | $42,170 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67.9% | 0.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.3% | 5.2% |
| Biology, General | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 1.7% | 0.1% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 0.3% | 1.2% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.1% | 1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.8% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City reports the lower average net price by $13,388 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $53,552 difference over four years ($33,592 vs $87,144).
Washington University in St Louis reports $45,386 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($86,182 vs $40,796). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.8% at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City and 95% at Washington University in St Louis. Median federal debt among completers is $10,073 vs $17,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City vs Washington University in St Louis, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City is cheaper — average net price $8,398 per year vs $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis. The annual difference of $13,388 adds up to about $53,552 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Washington University in St Louis reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $86,182 vs $40,796 at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City. The gap in the federal data is $45,386. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.