Joplin, MO Overview
Missouri Southern State University is a public 4-year college located in Joplin, Missouri. There are currently 3,245 undergraduates at MSSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 99%. The tuition at MSSU is $8,026 for in-state students and $16,052 for out-of-state.
University
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
3,245
Pell Grant 38%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 23%
Undergrad Students Over 25 20%
Percent Male / Female 39% / 61%
Ethnic Diversity at MSSU
68% White
9% Hispanic
7% Black
5% American Indian / Alaska Native
4% Asian / Pacific Islander
3% Unknown
3% International / Non-Citizen
2% Multiracial
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1
Graduation Rate
36%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
22%
22% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
17%
17% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
13%
13% of graduates
Education
9%
9% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
7%
7% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
Social Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Engineering
2%
2% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
2%
2% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$20,011
$17,940
$10,097
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$20,011for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$28,037for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since MSSU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at MSSU is $20,011 for in-state students in MO, and $28,037 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at MSSU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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Missouri Southern State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Missouri Southern State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Missouri Southern State University is 002488.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
MSSU is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at MSSU. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Missouri Southern State University
51% of students at Missouri Southern State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Missouri Southern State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
MSSU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Missouri Southern State University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at MSSU or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.mssu.edu/student-affairs/financial-aid/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 417-625-9325
Admissions Snapshot
99%
21
Is MSSU test-optional?
Missouri Southern State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Rolling deadline at MSSU
Missouri Southern State University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check MSSU's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$42,620
Median Debt $19,174
Debt 10 years after graduation $203
Graduation Rate 36%
What is the graduation rate at Missouri Southern State University?
36% of students who start at Missouri Southern State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 22% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Missouri Southern State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Missouri Southern State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $42,620. This is $7,771 less than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at MSSU take out in loans?
Graduates of MSSU have to take out a median of $19,174 in federal student loans. This is $5,674 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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