Missouri Southern State University is a public 4-year college in Joplin, Missouri with 3,019 undergraduates. It admits 97% of applicants, costs an average of $10,836 a year after grants and graduates 39% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Missouri Southern State University acceptance rate and admissions
Missouri Southern State University admitted 97% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 540 to 690, math 610 to 730). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Missouri Southern State University application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Rolling admission | Applications reviewed as they arrive |
Application fee through the Common App: $30 for U.S. applicants ($60 for international applicants). Confirm dates on Missouri Southern State University’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Missouri Southern State University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $9,240 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $17,640 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $9,371 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $19,981 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $10,836 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $10,836 a year after grants and scholarships, $9,145 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Missouri Southern State University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Missouri Southern State University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 39% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $48,193 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $18,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 37% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Missouri Southern State University majors and what graduates earn
Missouri Southern State University awarded bachelor's degrees in 32 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($75,985).
All 32 majors at Missouri Southern State University
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Missouri Southern State University
5 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 5 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | Master's | 25 | $63,568 | n/a |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | 9 | $44,462 | n/a |
| Education leadership | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
Trade and career programs at Missouri Southern State University
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 24 | n/a | n/a | $8,250 |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Associate degree | 23 | $55,626 | $67,589 | $17,041 |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 19 | $62,839 | $56,097 | $15,450 |
| Medical billing and coding | Certificate | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 3,019 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 61% women, 40% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Missouri Southern State University?
Missouri Southern State University admitted 97% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Missouri Southern State University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $9,240 for in-state students and $17,640 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $10,836 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Missouri Southern State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 540 to 690 in reading and writing and 610 to 730 in math, and 17 to 24 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Missouri Southern State University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Missouri Southern State University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Missouri Southern State University?
39% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Missouri Southern State University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $48,193 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Missouri · Missouri Southern State University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.