Head-to-head · 2026
University of Missouri-Kansas City vs Washington University in St Louis
Compare average net price ($13,310 at University of Missouri-Kansas City; $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis), ROI score (11.20 vs 9.89), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,637 vs $86,182), and admissions selectivity (72.2% acceptance at University of Missouri-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 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 11.20 ✓ | 9.89 |
| Avg net price | $13,310 ✓ | $21,786 |
| 4-year avg net price | $53,240 ✓ | $87,144 |
| In-state tuition | $12,587 | $65,790 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $30,227 | $65,790 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,637 | $86,182 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 12.1% |
| Graduation rate | 55.5% | 94.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.4% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $17,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,817 | 7,857 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1204 | 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 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,576 | $1,716 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,472 | $1,928 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,613 | $5,578 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,019 | $12,603 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,877 ✓ | $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 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | Washington University in St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 8.3% | 4.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.1% | 5.2% |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 0.5% | 7.8% |
| Law | 3.6% | 3.6% |
| Biology, General | 5% | 1.8% |
| Applied Mathematics | 0.4% | 5.8% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 0% | 5.9% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 0.1% | 5.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Missouri-Kansas City reports the lower average net price by $8,476 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,904 difference over four years ($53,240 vs $87,144).
Washington University in St Louis reports $26,545 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($86,182 vs $59,637). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.4% at University of Missouri-Kansas City and 95% at Washington University in St Louis. Median federal debt among completers is $18,750 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
University of Missouri-Kansas City vs Washington University in St Louis, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Missouri-Kansas City is cheaper — average net price $13,310 per year vs $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis. The annual difference of $8,476 adds up to about $33,904 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 $59,637 at University of Missouri-Kansas City. The gap in the federal data is $26,545. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Washington University in St Louis is more selective at 12.1% acceptance vs 72.2% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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.