Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Joplin , MO
Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is a public university located in Joplin, Missouri. Established in 1937, it is the youngest of Missouri's four state universities. MSSU offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs through its five schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, and the School of Technology. The university's mission is to provide a high-quality, affordable education that prepares students for successful careers and lifelong learning.
MSSU is known for its commitment to academic excellence and personalized attention. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, students benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with dedicated professors. The university offers more than 140 academic programs to cater to diverse interests, ranging from business and nursing to arts and sciences. Students also have opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, and research experiences, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and gain valuable practical skills.
Apart from academics, MSSU offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities. Students can participate in over 80 clubs and organizations, including academic groups, cultural clubs, and special interest clubs. The campus also features state-of-the-art facilities, including a modern library, a health center, athletic facilities, and several dining and residential options. The university is proud of its rich tradition of community engagement and service, encouraging students to participate in volunteer programs and make a positive impact in the local community.
In conclusion, Missouri Southern State University provides a well-rounded educational experience that combines academic excellence with personal attention. With its diverse program offerings, small class sizes, and vibrant campus life, MSSU offers a supportive environment for students to grow academically, professionally, and personally. Through its commitment to quality education, experiential learning, and community engagement, MSSU prepares students to become successful leaders in their chosen fields and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Missouri Southern State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Joplin, MO. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 97%. The freshman retention rate at Missouri Southern State University is 63% and the six-year graduation rate is 40%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Missouri Southern State University.
Quick Facts
3,881
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
40%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. What are the admission requirements for Missouri Southern State University?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,100 in 2025. Missouri Southern State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 4% and ACT scores 70%. 37.5% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 37.5% between 1,200 and 1,399, 20.83% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 4.17% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5.22, 23.81 between 24-29, 40.14 in the range between 18-23, 30.61 between 12-17, and 0.23 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 21 and the average GPA was 3.46. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Missouri Southern State University was 63% in 2025.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 40%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 4,147 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 27% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 3,881, 151 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 331.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,019 male and 1,543 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Missouri Southern State University.
This school had 103 Asian students and 210 Afro-American students in 2025. 306 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 40 as multirace. The school also had 14 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 154 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 78 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Missouri Southern State University.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Missouri Southern State University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $9,000, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $18,000 for students coming from out of state. If you are an international student at Missouri Southern State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition was $18,000, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $900 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,000 | $900 | $18,900 |
| In-State | $9,000 | $900 | $9,900 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,292 for books and supplies during their time at Missouri Southern State University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Missouri Southern State University was $9,733 in 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 9,733 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,292 |
| Total Expense | $ 20,025 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Missouri Southern State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 445 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $11,923.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
1,398 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,920. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $8,263,874, and state $2,180,425.
$4,783
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
1,242 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 332 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $6,362,060. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $960,910 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Missouri Southern State University was 15:1: that means 15 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 288 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 136 men and 152 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Missouri Southern State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Missouri Southern State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about campus life at Missouri Southern State University.
Its campus is 381 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 62. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 3% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 1 for female students. The most popular student organization is The Green Bandana Project, followed by Student Senate and Campus Activities Board (CAB). Other popular student organizations at this school are Project Stay and Omicron Delt Kappa - Golden Crest Circle.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Missouri Southern State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Missouri Southern State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Missouri Southern State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Missouri Southern State University.
All in all, campus life at Missouri Southern State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Missouri Southern State University.
Career Counselling
At Missouri Southern State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 45,015 USD.
$45,015
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for Missouri Southern State University is 97%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Missouri Southern State University is 63%.
Contact Information
Missouri Southern State University
3950 E Newman Road
Joplin , MO
64801-1595
417 625-9300
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.