Nursing Degree in Columbia, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Columbia, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Columbia
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Columbia, MO Overview
Columbia, Missouri (pop. 126,254) has 10 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,005/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Columbia is approximately $57,120.
Category
Healthcare
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%
Nursing Salary in Columbia (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbia's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Columbia adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Columbia
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing 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
$27,720
vs HS diploma in Columbia
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbia
$499,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($588,000) minus total education cost ($88,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Columbia
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbia for Nursing
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 Nursing in Columbia
Columbia offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbia Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$64K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$66K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$54K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Independence, MO
$58K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
Lee's Summit, MO
$65K starting · COL 95.5
4 colleges
OFallon, MO
$59K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$61K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$57K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Columbia
Pharmacy
$42K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$42K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$42K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$42K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing 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 Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Columbia.