Contact Information
General Contact
- FAFSA School Code: 002503
- Phone: (573) 651-2000
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
ACCEPTANCE RATE
87.94%FINANCIAL AID RATE
91%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
21:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
164FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$5,650Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
College Video Tour
School Map
Missouri State University
One University Plaza, MS2025, Cape Girardeau, MO
Missouri State University (MSU) is a public university with its main campus located in Springfield, Missouri. Missouri State has three additional campuses located in West Plains, Mo., Mountain Grove, Mo., and Dalian, China. Missouri State University is one of 13 four-year institutions supported by the state in Missouri.
There are excellent International Programs at Missouri State University. Students or faculty members may participate in programs such as International Services, Study Away programs, the English Language Institute, and China Programs, among others.
Missouri State University has been ranked 53rd of the Midwestern regional universities by U.S. News and World Report. It offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and 45 graduate programs. The student-faculty ration is 20-to-1.
The MSU College of Business Administration (COBA) is the largest college of business in Missouri and one of the largest in the Midwest and receives very high marks.
History
Missouri State University was founded as the Fourth District Normal School in 1905. After changing its name at least four times through the years, the school became known as Missouri State University in 2005.
In its early years, the university's primary purpose was to prepare teachers for the public school systems in the Missouri region. In 1906, the students chose maroon and white as the school colors, and the bear as the school mascot. By 1945, the school had expanded beyond its origins as a teacher training college, with liberal arts and sciences a growing part of its curricula. By 2000, Missouri State University had expanded further, enrolling tens of thousands of students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Academics
The academic calendar for Missouri State University follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters. The semesters at Missouri State are referred to as "terms."
Colleges and Schools
- College of Arts and Letters
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Humanities and Public Affairs
- College of Natural and Applied Sciences
- Graduate College
- The William H. Darr School of Agriculture
Student Life
Student life at Missouri State University is active, with more than 300 student clubs and organizations available, and a host of local chapters of fraternities and sororities to become involved in. The Campus LINK is an online community where students have access to information about student groups and upcoming events on campus. Additional information is available at the Office of Student Engagement.
Student organizations are grouped into categories according to their focus, such as academic/professional, Greek social, honorary, religious, service, political, social, sports, and university. There are also groups for recreation/wellness, and residence life, for students who wish to govern their residence hall.
University groups such as Residence Hall organizations, University Ambassadors, Student Government Association, and Student Activities Council are organizations that represent Missouri State University as ambassadors. They interface with students, faculty/staff, and alumni to promote Missouri State and to provide student feedback to other stakeholders. These groups can be affiliated with a University department or office, or are meant to represent the student body as a whole.
On campus housing and dining options are available.
Traditions
The traditional school colors for Missouri State University are maroon and white, with black as an accent color. The school mascot is a bear, and the athletic teams are nicknamed the Missouri State "Bears" or the Missouri State "Lady Bears."
Athletics
Missouri State competes in NCAA Division I athletics, and has won many championships. Missouri State "Bears" athletic teams compete in the following intercollegiate sports:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming & Diving
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
Missouri State University's main campus is located in Springfield, Missouri. Missouri State has three additional campuses:
- Mountain Grove, Mo.
- West Plains, Mo.
- Dalian, China
IDEA Commons is an urban research park located in downtown Springfield. Through the IDEA Commons, the University partners with corporations and non-profits, and provides retail space.
Community Life
Springfield is located within the Ozarks region of the United States and is known for beautiful landscapes, outdoor recreation, and always-changing weather with four seasons.
Springfield is known for its big-city attractions and small-town charm. Also known as the "Queen City" of the Ozarks, Springfield acts as a central shopping and entertainment hub for the smaller surrounding communities. Springfield, Missouri is considered a great place to live and work. Recent statistics show Springfield ranked in top three among American cities for job growth.
Visitors can take in a show at Missouri State University's Tent Theatre, or explore the outdoors. Springfield is a three hour drive from Kansas City or St. Louis.
The community's 20-year strategic plan is now being developed and presented in draft form. Online visitors can view Springfield's Strategic Planning website to read about the process and find what kind of vision citizens have for the Springfield area in the year 2030.
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may give you an idea of the applicants Missouri State University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Missouri State University is around 24,000 students. The student body is made up of 85% undergraduate students and 13% graduate students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $15,800. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition estimates per year:
- In-State: $6,500-$7,800
- Out-of-State: $15,000-$17,820
- Charges for part-time students are:
- State Residents: $220-$260 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $500-$590 per credit unit
- The estimated cost for on campus dorms & meals is around $11,000, which includes twenty-one meals provided each week
Financial Aid Details
The information below lists the financial aid types students are receiving. Also shown are the percent of students receiving aid and the average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 91% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 74% | $5,399 |
Receiving Student Loans | 60% | $6,840 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Missouri State University may offer student services including:
- Distance learning
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
- Day care
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) Program
- Dietetics Program
- English Language Program
- Music Program
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Graduate Level Public Health (Outside School of Public Health) Program
- Speech-Language Pathology Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
- Theatre Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Missouri State University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division I-FCS classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Missouri Valley Conference)
- Basketball (Missouri Valley Conference)
- Track and Field (Missouri Valley Conference)
- Football (Missouri Valley Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Beach Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Missouri State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Animal Science (B)
- Agriculture (B, M)
- Agronomy and Crop Science (B)
Architecture
- Urban Planning (B, C)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, M)
- Molecular Biology (B, M)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, C, M)
- Accounting (B, C, M)
- Finance (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Information Systems (B)
- Construction Management (B)
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management (B)
- Insurance (B)
- Entrepreneurship (B)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (B, M)
- Journalism (B)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B, C, M)
Education
- Elementary Education (B, C, M)
- Secondary Education (B, M)
- Early Childhood Education (B)
- Guidance Counselor (M)
- Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist (C, M)
- ESL (C)
- Special Education (B, C, M)
- Middle School Teacher (B)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (C, M)
- Higher Education Administration (M)
Engineering Technology
- Engineering Management (B, C, M)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
- Creative Writing (C, M)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family Studies (B)
- Child Development (M)
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Audiology and Speech Pathology (B, C, M)
- Nursing (B, M)
- Nurse Anesthetist (D)
- Physical Therapy (D)
- Physician Assistant (M)
- Dietetics (B, C)
- Hospital and Healthcare Facility Management (C, M)
- Athletic Training (B, M)
- Public Health (C, M)
- Medical Technology (B)
- Respiratory Therapy (B)
- Nursing Education (C)
History
- History (B, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- International and Global Studies (B, M)
- Gerontology (B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, M)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Religious Studies (B, M)
- Philosophy (B)
Psychology
- Psychology (B, C, M)
- Forensic Psychology (C)
- Clinical Psychology
Public Administration and Social Services
- Public Administration (C, M)
- Social Work (B, M)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Social Sciences
- Criminology (B, C, M)
- Political Science (B)
- Sociology (B)
- Economics (B)
- Anthropology (B, C)
- Geography (B)
- Cartography and GIS (C)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Visual Communications (B)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B, M)
- Music (B, M)
- Art History (B)
- Digital Arts (M)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Missouri State University.
- Missouri Southern State University in Saint Louis, MO (66 miles away)
- Pittsburg State University in Overland Park, KS (80 miles away)
- University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, AR (92 miles away)
- Missouri University of Science and Technology in Kansas City, MO (97 miles away)
- University of Central Missouri in Fayette, MO (108 miles away)
Also, check out our college lists below, which can help students compare schools to one another:
- Get a list of all the colleges in Missouri
- Get a list of all state universities in Missouri
Contact Information
General Contact
- FAFSA School Code: 002503
- Phone: (573) 651-2000
- School Homepage