Harris-Stowe State University
- Graduation Rate
- 28% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $31,088 D
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $9,922 B
- 42% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 960
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $708,824.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 24% below the national college median.
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Graduation of 28% — 52% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 960
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Harris-Stowe State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,922 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $31,088 ten years after enrolling — 24% below the typical college, against $25,930 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.98 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Harris-Stowe State University is a solid choice for students interested in fields like Biology, Business, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. With an enrollment of 960, it has a close-knit community vibe that can make it easier for students to connect with faculty and peers. This setting is particularly appealing for those who thrive in more personalized learning environments, where they can dive deep into their studies and build lasting relationships.
When we look at life after graduation, Harris-Stowe graduates earn around $31,088 a year after ten years. It’s important to consider how this stacks up against the cost of getting that degree. With 74% of students receiving Pell Grants, affordability is a key factor here. While the graduation rate sits at 28%, many students are able to start their careers and make strides in their fields, especially in programs like Business and Criminal Justice, which can lead to various job opportunities.
On the financial side, the net price after aid is about $9,922, which is quite reasonable given the support many students receive. However, the median debt of $25,930 is something to keep in mind. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and willing to take advantage of the resources available, from academic support to networking opportunities. Overall, if you're looking for a university experience that emphasizes community and support along with accessible education, Harris-Stowe could be a fitting option.
Rankings
- #13 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
- #17 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri
- #20 Most Affordable HBCUs
- #29 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
- #30 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #30 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
- #30 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #31 Best HBCUs for Education
Can I Get In?
How selective Harris-Stowe State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Harris-Stowe State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Louis, Missouri, Harris-Stowe State University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,463
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.33
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Harris-Stowe State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Harris-Stowe State University is $11,640, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,922. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,827 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,930 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,008
- Out-of-State
- $11,640
- Avg Net Price
- $9,922
- Median Debt
- $25,930
- Pell Grant Rate
- 74%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 61%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,827
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,963
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,814
- Family Income $110K+
- $6,238
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Harris-Stowe State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Harris-Stowe State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Harris-Stowe State University report median earnings of $31,088, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $26,634
- 8 Years
- $30,944
- 10 Years
- $31,088
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.83x
- Earning > $25K
- 39%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (5)
- 2%
- 100% (5)
- 2%
- 100% (5)
- 2%
- 100% (5)
- 2%
How Harris-Stowe Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Harris-Stowe State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Harris-Stowe State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,922/year ($39,688 total). Graduates earn $31,088 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $748,512 in total earnings — a net gain of $708,824 (18.9× your investment). The median debt is $25,930, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 28% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,688
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $748,512
- Net Return
- $708,824
- ROI Multiple
- 18.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,922
- Median Debt
- $25,930
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 28%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,613,116
- Federal Grants
- $4,557,598
- Investment Income
- $-52,554
Top Programs
The fields Harris-Stowe State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $34,983 early-career
- Education 16% $43,768 early-career
- Humanities 14%
- Criminal Justice 14% $35,271 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Psychology 7%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Harris-Stowe State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Harris-Stowe State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Louis, Missouri, Harris-Stowe State University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 28%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Harris-Stowe State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Harris-Stowe State University is $11,640, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,922. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,827 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,930 in federal student loans.
Is Harris-Stowe State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Harris-Stowe State University report median earnings of $31,088, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Harris-Stowe State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Harris-Stowe State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.98, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Harris-Stowe State University.
- Livingstone CollegeSalisbury, NC · Close peer26% grad $32,600 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northland Pioneer CollegeHolbrook, AZ · Close peer22% grad $34,199 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Mississippi Valley State UniversityItta Bena, MS · Close peer24% grad $31,919 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Lane CollegeJackson, TN · Close peer18% grad $31,670 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Universidad Adventista de las AntillasMayaguez, PR · Close peer41% grad $28,465 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Miles CollegeFairfield, AL · Close peer20% grad $32,627 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Harris-Stowe State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Harris-Stowe State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.98, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note