Overview
Originally founded as a junior college, Missouri Southern State University is now a 4-year public institution in southwest Missouri. MSSU is home to schools of Business, Education, Arts & Sciences, and Health Sciences as well as a Law Enforcement Academy. To support the fine and performing arts, the MSSU campus hosts the Spiva Art Gallery and Taylor Performing Arts Center. For athletically inclined students, MSSU fields 15 men’s and women’s sports teams known as the Lions.
Acceptance Rate:
97%
Average Net Price:
$9,519
Campus Setting:
Small city
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
21
Average SAT Composite
1078
Virtual Tour
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $8,026 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $16,052 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $7,624 |
| Books and Supplies | $902 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
43%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
43%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,549
43%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,682
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,138
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
37%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1952
90%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,682
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$8,884,962
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$6,011,715
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
52%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$4,985
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$11,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$181
Students receiving federal loans
51%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,618
Average Other Loans Per Year
$7,286
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
1695
Students Applied
96%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
318
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
Yes
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$30
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
80%
Submitting ACT
6%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 21
Average SAT Composite: 1078
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
4,352
Total Number of Undergrads
4,245
0
100
15%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
33%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
16:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
47
Faculty Overview
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Small city
US States Represented
36
Countries Represented
34
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
45%
Student Organizations
60
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
16%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
19%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Lions
School Colors
green and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Mid-America Intercollegiate Ath Assoc
Total Male Athletes
250
Total Female Athletes
128
Intramural Sports
12
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Softball
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Missouri Southern State University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$38,100
Top 5 Cities
Joplin
Kansas City
Springfield
Fayetteville
Saint Louis
Top 5 Employers
Missouri Southern State University
Walmart
Legget & Platt
Freeman Health System
Mercy
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Sales
Operations
Education
Healthcare Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$11,000
Loan Default Rate
14%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$181
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingMy professors are all very respected in their fields and know what they are talking about. When I don't understand something, they take the time to explain it one on one.
MSSU student
Being a freshman, some of my classes so far have been common sense type classes (e.g. Oral Communication and the freshman orientation class), but classes that had some real substance (e.g. Sociology, Newswriting, American Literature) were great classes and I did feel like I was learning.
Andrea from Neosho, MO
A gorgeous place to learn, work, and grow with many opportunities to be involved. Missouri Southern is a place that will make you feel welcome and also make sure you can be successful after graduation.
Here, you can be involved on any level because they always have some sort of event going on whether it's athletics or a movie night or even stuffing a lion to take home with you for free one day, there's always something great going on at Missouri Southern.
Here, you can be involved on any level because they always have some sort of event going on whether it's athletics or a movie night or even stuffing a lion to take home with you for free one day, there's always something great going on at Missouri Southern.
Megan from Joplin, MO
I have had a fantastic experience with the faculty here in that they were willing to work with me outside of class to make sure I was successful in my academic goals. The study abroad opportunities are fantastic too, allowing for once in a lifetime experiences and lifelong memories. It is a smaller student body, but that allows for a greater sense of student community.
Brian from Joplin, MO
I really like all of my classes and teachers. Everything is hands on which is good for me, and I connect well with all my classmates. The teachers are easy to talk to, and actually learn about you as an individual student.
Jake from Joplin, MO
this college is great when it comes to benefits for students. every professor is always willing to help. on campus housing is one of the best in missouri.
Austin from Seneca, MO
The professors are passionate about their subjects and want to impart that passion to their students. It is contagious.
Gabrielle from Joplin, MO
MSSU is a wonderful university that has given me so many opportunities for my future. As a communications major, I have to frequently build connections with other and my classes have really taught me to socialize and network. I'm entering my last semester here and I know I am going to miss being on this campus and learning from such helpful and kind professors.
Olivia from Joplin, MO
Missouri Southern State University is an excellent school to attend. I am a communication student at Southern and I have been offered countless opportunities. From studying abroad, and extra curricular activities to working in the Relations and Marketing office, I have gained so much experience in such a short amount of time!
Daya from Joplin, MO
Missouri Southern is a quality education at a fair price. The faculty are personally invested in the students' education and success. If you're open to it, the people here will become like your family.
AshLeigh from Stella, MO
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