Missouri S&T is ranked again as one of the top schools in the nation for annual return on investment (ROI), according to the 2018 PayScale College ROI Report.

Missouri S&T ranks sixth among public and private U.S. colleges and universities for annual ROI based on a graduate’s earning potential over a 20-year period. Missouri S&T ranks first among Missouri’s public colleges and universities and fifth among American public universities for in-state tuition.

The PayScale report measures universities’ ROI based on the cost to attend, graduation rates, student loan indebtedness and PayScale’s “20-year net ROI” average. PayScale ranks universities by comparing a school’s total cost of attendance for a bachelor’s degree with the 20-year net return on investment, based on a graduate’s earning potential over a 20-year period.

The report is designed to help parents, students and policy makers better understand “the value of college education, particularly as it applies to future decisions in the job market,” PayScale says.

“No matter how you look at it, college is an investment — both of time and money,” the PayScale report notes. “The benefit to this particular investment is that there are returns far beyond the obvious monetary ones. However, the financial aspects of evaluating college return on investment cannot be ignored. And, some schools are simply doing a better job of setting their alumni up for success in the job market. Whether you’re planning to study computer science or psychology, earning potential in your chosen field, along with the cost of attendance for the schools you’re considering, should be part of the equation when whittling down your list of best return on investment colleges.”

Missouri S&T ranks 27th overall in the category of 20-year net return on investment. Among public universities, S&T ranks 15th for 20-year net ROI.