Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Missouri-Columbia vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market.
Analyzing 60 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
#109 nationally
$71K median earnings
Engineering and business programs lead earnings outcomes, with Mechanical Engineering producing $83,864 median earnings and Business programs delivering strong returns above $68,000. Technology-focused programs including Artificial Intelligence show excellent market demand with $79,627 earnings. Detailed earnings information by program appears in the tables below.
Several programs achieve exceptional national rankings, with Broadcast Journalism ranking #2 nationally and Business/Commerce General ranking #6 nationally. These rankings reflect program quality and graduate outcomes rather than reputation alone, focusing on measurable results including earnings, employment rates, and return on investment. Refer to the program tables for complete ranking information across all available fields.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Missouri-Columbia.
Engineering and technology programs show strong earning potential, led by Mechanical Engineering at $83,864 and Artificial Intelligence at $79,627. While Civil Engineering produces lower returns relative to debt levels, the technology-focused programs demonstrate excellent market demand.
These programs are best suited for students seeking high-earning technical careers and willing to invest in rigorous STEM preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #109 | $87,394 |
Program outcomes reflect labor market results rather than academic prestige, with rankings based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment. Variations exist because different fields lead to different career paths and salary expectations, while program-specific debt levels reflect varying educational costs and financial aid targeting. Data comes from federal College Scorecard records tracking graduates 10 years after enrollment, with cohort size requirements ensuring statistical reliability. Some programs may appear multiple times if they span different classification systems, and missing debt figures indicate insufficient data for reliable reporting.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
recent graduates
Value scores combine earnings, debt levels, and employment outcomes to identify programs delivering optimal return on investment. Broadcast Journalism achieves the highest value score of 99.1, while Business/Commerce General scores 92.3, indicating exceptional outcomes relative to educational costs. Complete value scoring appears in the program comparison tables.
Most programs demonstrate excellent to good loan affordability, with business, communications, and engineering programs showing payments under 8-12% of discretionary income. Psychology and Education programs require more careful debt management, with payments reaching 12-18% of discretionary income and extended payoff timelines.
| — |
| 57 |
| Computer Engineering, General.Small sample | #111 | $86,396 | — | 19 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #84 | $85,468 | — | 51 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #38 | $85,193 | — | 39 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #87 | $83,864 | $31,356 | 166 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #121 | $79,627 | $32,500 | 179 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #160 | $69,122 | $52,328 | 95 |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering. | #4 | $64,760 | — | 34 |
Business programs at University of Missouri-Columbia deliver exceptional outcomes, with Business/Commerce General ranking #6 nationally and achieving a 92.3 value score. Accounting Technology ranks #31 nationally with strong $81,583 earnings, while Applied Economics provides solid career preparation.
These programs combine large enrollment capacity with proven employment outcomes, making them well-suited for students prioritizing immediate workforce readiness and strong return on investment.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #31 | $81,583★ | $37,624 | 159 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #9 | $68,404 | $55,404 | 707 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #57 | $45,198 | $51,644 | 104 |
Health programs demonstrate solid professional preparation with varied outcomes by specialization. Adult Health Nursing produces $63,832 earnings despite ranking #252 nationally, while Allied Health programs show stronger value at $60,022 with better debt management.
These programs serve students committed to healthcare careers, with outcomes reflecting different professional pathways and licensing requirements.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #260 | $63,832★ | $34,055 | 215 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #33 | $60,022 | $28,732 | 87 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | #17 | $52,147 | $35,570 | 478 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #96 | $49,614 | — | 30 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health.Small sample | #106 | $36,867 | — | 19 |
Biology programs provide solid preparation for graduate study and healthcare careers, with General Biology producing $51,753 earnings while ranking #124 nationally. These programs typically serve students planning advanced degrees in medical, research, or scientific fields rather than immediate workforce entry, making them best suited for students committed to extended educational pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Statistics and Probability. | #39 | $52,088★ | — | 36 |
| Biology, General. | #124 | $51,753 | $41,949 | 189 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology. | #6 | $49,466 | — | 28 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #65 | $44,301 | — | 60 |
| Acoustics. | #71 | $43,426 | — | 20 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #211 | $38,289 | — | 51 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology.Small sample | — | $31,848 | — | 6 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #194 | $25,194 | — | 24 |
Social sciences programs provide moderate earnings with varying value propositions. American Government and Politics ranks #74 nationally with $57,664 earnings, while Psychology shows lower financial returns at $44,511 despite large enrollment.
These programs suit students prioritizing intellectual development and graduate school preparation over immediate earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #151 | $61,213★ | — | 81 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #75 | $57,664 | $38,234 | 149 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #159 | $46,842 | $40,903 | 43 |
| Psychology, General. | #164 | $44,511 | $34,942 | 274 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample | #77 | $38,726 | — | 17 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #199 | $33,138 | — | 27 |
| Anthropology, General.Small sample | #131 | $31,926 | — | 17 |
Communications programs excel at University of Missouri-Columbia, with Broadcast Journalism ranking #2 nationally and achieving the highest value score of 99.1 across all university programs. Communication and Media Studies provides solid outcomes with moderate earnings of $50,441.
These programs are ideal for students seeking creative and media careers with proven institutional strength in journalism education.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #1 🏆 | $58,169★ | $40,707 | 451 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #105 | $50,441 | $49,398 | 190 |
General Studies provides broad educational foundation with $47,666 earnings, ranking #86 nationally in the field. Parks and Recreation shows stronger value with $46,530 earnings and #8 national ranking.
These programs offer flexibility and interdisciplinary learning, suitable for students exploring diverse career paths or preparing for graduate study.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies. | #95 | $47,666★ | $33,797 | 100 |
| American History (United States). | #83 | $45,990 | $35,000 | 36 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #42 | $44,535 | — | 37 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #255 | $36,695 | $41,062 | 77 |
| Brass Instruments. | #100 | $35,939 | — | 23 |
| Digital Arts. | #23 | $29,775 | $35,028 | 55 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #69 | $29,613 | — | 21 |
| Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature.Small sample | #7 | $21,964 | — | 11 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #94 | $18,401 | — | 50 |
Education programs reflect the financial realities of teaching careers, with Adult and Continuing Education showing $38,973 earnings. While financial returns are modest, these programs prepare students for essential public service roles.
Best suited for students prioritizing social impact and job security over maximum earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #87 | $39,236★ | — | 27 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #192 | $38,973 | $40,051 | 187 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education.Small sample | #157 | $38,721 | — | 16 |
Agriculture & Environment graduates earn 50K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician. | #1 🏆 | $71,425★ | — | 31 |
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #27 | $59,013 | — | 52 |
| Agriculture, General.Small sample | #13 | $51,072 | — | 16 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding. | #15 | $49,601 | — | 28 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #15 | $47,979 | $44,221 | 81 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management.Small sample | #27 | $40,808 | — | 14 |
| Environmental Science.Small sample | #128 | $38,808 | — | 16 |
| Brewing Science.Small sample | #30 | $38,289 | — | 11 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 51K on average, with 3 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Economics. | #3 | $63,412★ | $46,919 | 55 |
| African Studies. | #17 | $59,123 | $45,369 | 76 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #30 | $51,733 | $30,560 | 72 |
| Facilities Planning and Management. | #4 | $51,285 | — | 35 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other. | #17 | $48,179 | $32,696 | 55 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | #8 | $46,530 | $25,000 | 126 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #77 | $39,887 | $67,243 | 47 |
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
