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Saint Joseph , MO
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) is a public university located in St. Joseph, Missouri. Founded in 1915, MWSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including business, education, health sciences, liberal arts, and sciences. The university is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for successful careers and encourages them to engage in lifelong learning, critical thinking, and societal initiatives.
MWSU prides itself on its student-centered approach to education. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, students have the opportunity to receive personalized attention from dedicated and experienced professors. The university's commitment to experiential learning is evident through its emphasis on internships, research opportunities, and community engagement initiatives. MWSU has strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations, enabling students to gain practical experience and develop the skills needed to thrive in their respective fields.
Beyond academics, Missouri Western State University offers a vibrant campus life. The university is home to numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams, fostering a sense of community and providing students with opportunities to pursue their passions and interests outside the classroom. Athletics play a significant role at MWSU, with the Griffons competing in NCAA Division II sports. The university's strong athletic programs, including basketball, football, and soccer, attract both student-athletes and enthusiastic fans.
In conclusion, Missouri Western State University offers a well-rounded educational experience that combines academic excellence, experiential learning, and a thriving campus community. With its diverse program offerings, dedicated faculty, and emphasis on student success, MWSU provides students with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their chosen fields.
Located in Saint Joseph, MO, Missouri Western State University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 99%. The freshman retention rate at Missouri Western State University is 54% and the six-year graduation rate is 39%.
To find out more about what Missouri Western State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
3,494
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
39%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Read on to find out some essential info about admission policy and requirements at Missouri Western State University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,470 in 2025. Missouri Western State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Test Scores
The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 1, 20.1 between 24-29, 39.9 in the range between 18-23, 37 between 12-17, and 1.9 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.13. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Missouri Western State University.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Missouri Western State University was 54% in 2025.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 39%.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the best fit for you is not simple. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Missouri Western State University in 2025 was 3,728.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 18.79% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 3,494, 25 of which were foreign students. 180 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 852 male and 1,247 female full-time students in 2025. There were 22 full-time graduate male and 37 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 34, while the number of Black American students was 310. 29 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 205 identified with more than one race. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 28 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 127 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Missouri Western State University estimated tuition price.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $8,940 for area residents. Tuition fees were $18,810 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $18,810, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,500.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,810 | $1,500 | $20,310 |
| In-State | $8,940 | $1,500 | $10,440 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to spend about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Missouri Western State University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Missouri Western State University was $11,780 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $6,112, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 8,940 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,780 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,920 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Missouri Western State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 456 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $12,874 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 1,402 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Missouri Western State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 1,447. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $5,665,966, and state $1,894,483. The students of Missouri Western State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,868,043, and external in the amount of $652,241.
$3,603
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. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 219 students overall (including freshmen) at Missouri Western State University in 2025. 55 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $5,665,966 while the state aid is $316,433. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,143,589. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $489,165 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Missouri Western State University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 224 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 107 men and 116 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Missouri Western State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about campus life at Missouri Western State University.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 66 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. If you are interested in music, you can join the Missouri Western State University band or chorus. Interested in media and communication? Missouri Western State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
Missouri Western State University offers a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Missouri Western State University.
All in all, campus life at Missouri Western State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
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 Western State University.
Career Counselling
At Missouri Western 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. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO.
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Missouri Western State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Missouri Western State University is 99%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Missouri Western State University is 54%.
Contact Information
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Drive
Saint Joseph , MO
64507
816 271-4200
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.
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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.
