Education Degree in Columbia, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Education degree analysis for Columbia, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$0
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$0
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
N/A
in Columbia
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Education in Columbia, MO Overview
Columbia, Missouri (pop. 126,254) has 10 colleges offering Education programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,005/month. Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in . The adjusted starting salary in Columbia is approximately $0.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$11,142/yr
Private Tuition
$31,070/yr
Room & Board
$10,910/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,890/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
63%
Education Salary in Columbia (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbia's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Education salary: $0 starting, $0 mid-career, $0 senior level.Columbia adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Education ROI Calculator for Columbia
Estimate your return on investment for a Education degree using local Columbia tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,142 | Private avg: $31,070
Columbia avg aid: $16,890/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$-29,400
vs HS diploma in Columbia
ROI Payback Period
N/A
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbia
$-88,208
Lifetime earnings premium ($0) minus total education cost ($88,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Education in Columbia
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbia for Education
University of Missouri
public
$11,142/yr
$44,568 total
Stephens College
private
$31,070/yr
$124,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moberly Area Community College Columbia
$3,900/yr
Top Employers for Education in Columbia
Columbia offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbia Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Education Job Titles
Education in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$0 starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$0 starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$0 starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Independence, MO
$0 starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$0 starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$0 starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$0 starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$0 starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Columbia
Instructional Design & Technology
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$42K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education Degree in Columbia — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Columbia.