StateUniversity.com – U.S. University Directory [ State University List ]
Springfield, MO 65897
p. 417-836-5000
w. www.missouristate.edu
Missouri State University
Academics, History, Financial Aid, Alumni, Campus, Students, Faculty, Address, and Tuition
- NEW - College and University Blog with many tips like acing the ACTs, SATs, college admissions, and preparing for college.
- University Forum and Discussion - Brand New Message Board For All Your Questions
- Information on Thousands of Careers - One-stop resource for very comprehensive, and up-to-date career information. Contains more than several thousand job profiles each with a job description, education and training requirements, salary information, working conditions, employment outlook and much more!
- Student Encyclopedia - Encyclopedia for reference and research from the Cambridge Collection.
Information Summary
Ranks 632nd overall and 20th in Missouri
| Overall Score
On StateUniversity.com (about) |
80.7 |
|---|---|
| Total Cost
On-Campus Attendance |
$16,178 |
| Admission
Success rate |
75% |
| ACT / SAT
75 %ile scores |
26 / 1230 |
| Student Ratio
Ratio of students to faculty |
20 : 1 |
| Retention
(Full-Time / Part-Time) |
74% / 45% |
| Enrollment
Total (all students) |
19,218 |
Carnegie Foundation Classification
Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
| Undergraduate | Professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Postbaccalaureate comprehensive |
| Undergraduate Population | Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in |
| Enrollment | High undergraduate |
| Size & Setting | Large four-year, primarily nonresidential |
General Characteristics
| Highest offering | Doctoral degree |
|---|---|
| Calendar System | Semester |
| Years of college work required | N/A |
| Variable Tuition |
Special Learning Opportunities
| Distance Learning | |
|---|---|
| ROTC — Army / Navy / Airforce | |
| Study Abroad | |
| Weekend College | |
| Teacher Certification |
Student Tuition Costs and Fees
What are the typical tuition costs and fees for attending Missouri State University?
Ranks 1404th for total cost of attendance
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FT Undergraduate Tuition | $5,370 | $5,370 | $10,740 |
| FT Undergraduate Required Fees | $618 | $618 | $618 |
| PT Undergraduate per Credit Hour | $179 | $179 | $358 |
| FT Graduate Tuition | $4,944 | $4,944 | $9,888 |
| FT Graduate Required Fees | $618 | $618 | $618 |
| PT Graduate per Credit Hour | $206 | $206 | $412 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — On-Campus | $16,178 | $16,178 | $22,166 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus w/out Family | $6,788 | $6,788 | $12,776 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus with Family | $6,788 | $6,788 | $12,776 |
Student Tuition Cost History and Trends
Three year history and trends on the cost of attending
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published Tuition & Fees | $5,454 |
$5,454 |
$10,374 |
| Cost (regardless of residency) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $800 |
||
| On-Campus – Room & Board | $5,294 |
||
| On-Campus – Other Expenses | $3,352 |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Room & Board | N/A |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Other Expenses | N/A |
||
| Off-Campus with Family – Room & Board | N/A |
||
Admission Details
| Application Fee Required | N/A |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Application Fee | $35 |
| Graduate Application Fee | $35 |
| First Professional Application Fee | N/A |
| Applicants | 7,752 (3,189 male / 4,563 female) |
| Admitted | 5,796 (2,336 male / 3,460 female) |
| Admission rate | 75% |
| First-time Enrollment | 2,649 (1,120 male / 1,529 female) |
| FT Enrollment | 2,613 (1,101 male / 1,512 female) |
| PT Enrollment | 36 (19 male / 17 female) |
| Total Enrollment | 19,218 |
Admission Criteria
What criteria does Missouri State University use for admissions?
| Open Admissions | |
|---|---|
| Secondary School GPA / Rank / Record | |
| College Prep. Completion | |
| Recommendations | N/A |
| Formal competency demo | N/A |
| Admission test scores | |
| TOEFL | |
| Other tests | N/A |
Admission Credits Accepted
What types of credits does Missouri State University accept?
| Dual Credit | |
|---|---|
| Life Experience | |
| Advanced Placement (AP) |
Athletics - Association Memberships
| Sports / Athletic Conference Memberships | NCAA |
|---|---|
| NCAA Football Conference | Gateway Football Conference |
| NCAA Basketball Conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
| NCAA Baseball Conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
| NCAA Track & Field Conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
ACT Test Admission
Ranks 503rd for 75pctl scores
| Applicants submitting ACT results | 95% |
|---|---|
| Verbal scores (25/75 %ile) | 21 / 27 |
| Math scores (25/75 %ile) | 19 / 26 |
| Cumulative scores (25/75 %ile) | 21 / 26 |
SAT Test Admission
Ranks 409th for 75pctl scores
| Applicants submitting SAT results | 4% |
|---|---|
| Verbal scores (25/75 %ile) | 490 / 610 |
| Math scores (25/75 %ile) | 500 / 620 |
| Cumulative scores (25/75 %ile) | 990 / 1230 |
Student Services
| Remedial Services | |
|---|---|
| Academic / Career Counseling | |
| PT Cost-defraying Employment | |
| Career Placement | |
| On-Campus Day Care | |
| Library Facility |
Student Living
| First-time Room / Board Required | |
|---|---|
| Dorm Capacity | 4,000 |
| Meals per Week | 21 |
| Room Fee | $4,652 |
| Board Fee | $1,566 |
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Missouri State University Ranks 3373rd for the average student loan amount.
| Average | Users | % of Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Grant Aid | $2,751 | 504 | |
| State & Local Grant Aid | $2,169 | 327 | |
| Institutional Grant Aid | $3,779 | 852 | |
| Student Loan Aid | $3,432 | 1,342 | |
| Any financial aid type | 1,751 |
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Missouri State University?
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Non Resident Alien | 256 | 254 | 510 |
Black Non-Hispanic | 208 | 247 | 455 |
Hispanic | 145 | 156 | 301 |
Asian / Pacific Islander | 115 | 157 | 272 |
American Indian / Alaskan Native | 71 | 98 | 169 |
White Non-Hispanic | 7,052 | 9,604 | 16,656 |
Race Unknown | 399 | 456 | 855 |
| Total | 8,246 | 10,972 | 19,218 |
Student Graduation Demographics
How many students graduated at Missouri State University?
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Non Resident Alien | 21 | 11 | 32 |
Black Non-Hispanic | 17 | 43 | 60 |
Hispanic | 11 | 14 | 25 |
Asian / Pacific Islander | 15 | 13 | 28 |
American Indian / Alaskan Native | 17 | 12 | 29 |
White Non-Hispanic | 902 | 1,341 | 2,243 |
Race Unknown | 36 | 43 | 79 |
| Total | 1,019 | 1,477 | 2,496 |
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Missouri State University.
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 213 | 134 | 347 | |
| 14 | 188 | 202 | |
| 83 | 106 | 189 | |
| 50 | 137 | 187 | |
| 68 | 101 | 169 |
Student Completion / Graduation Demographics
How many students are successful graduates?
Faculty Compensation / Salaries
Missouri State University Ranks 1401st for the average full-time faculty salary.
| Tenure system | |
|---|---|
| Average FT Salary | $55,655 ($59,708 male / $49,702 female) |
| Number of FT Faculty | 716 (426 male / 290 female) |
| Number of PT Faculty | 330 |
| FT Faculty Ratio | 2 : 1 |
| Total Benefits | $11,632,903 |
Missouri State University Summary
The following paragraph provided courtesy of wikipedia.
Missouri State University located in Springfield, Missouri is the state’s second largest university in student enrollment, second only to the University of Missouri. Formerly known as Southwest Missouri State University, Missouri State was granted a statewide mission in Public Affairs in 1995. Missouri State University was first founded under the name Fourth District Normal School on March 17, 1905. The Fourth District Normal School became Southwest Missouri State Teacher’s College in 1919 to reflect its regional and academic emphases. Throughout the interwar period, the College’s programs expanded to include liberal arts and sciences in the curriculum, thus facilitating a name change to Southwest Missouri State College in 1945. This led to a third name change in 1972, to Southwest Missouri State University. By 1985, SMSU had grown into the second-largest public university in the state, leading administrators to support a bill to change the name to Missouri State University, which eventually died in committee in the Missouri General Assembly. In 2004, legislators took it upon themselves to back a new name change attempt, encountering resistence from University of Missouri-Columbia leaders who feared a loss of prestige and funds due to the establishment of a competing institution with the Missouri name. The new moniker of Missouri State University officially went into effect on August 28, 2005. Missouri State University’s academic divisions include: The average ACT score of entering freshmen remains above both the state and national averages. Missouri State University campus contains nine residence halls. The Missouri State campus is located on 225 acres at the center of Springfield. Also See: Missouri State Bears The Missouri State University Bears are members of the Missouri Valley Conference for all sports except football, men’s swimming, and field hockey. Missouri State University is one of only four schools since 1999 to reach the Division I Men’s basketball Sweet 16, the Women’s basketball Final Four, and College World Series. Uphold tradition, our school we hold so dear, We will be loyal throughout our college years, Fight for victory as we stand up and cheer, Let’s hear it for the Bears, B-E-A-R-S-Bears, M-I-S-S-O-U-R-I-State Sing we praises Now to our Alma Mater, All hail Maroon and White Missouri State, we pledge devotion May you live ever in truth and right, May you live ever in truth and right. It was opposed by the University of Missouri System (which operates the four campuses of the University of Missouri), which feared that the name change would lead to duplication of academic programs and ongoing battles for students and state funding. In 2005 the name-change bill was passed, following a late-night compromise between University of Missouri System President Elson Floyd and then-Southwest Missouri State President John Keiser, stating that Missouri State University would not duplicate certain programs offered by the University of Missouri. The bill to rename the University finally passed the Missouri Senate (25-7). Nietzel, formerly provost at the University of Kentucky, was introduced on March 4, 2005 as the ninth president of Missouri State University.
Missouri State University History
Southwest Missouri State was founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, with the primary purpose of education teachers for the public school system. In the 1940s, the School had begun to include programs in the arts and sciences. By 1972, the College had begun offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, and thus changed its name to Southwest Missouri State University.
Southwest Missouri State University was founded as a normal school and is now the second largest university in Missouri. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. It identifies itself as “a multi-campus metropolitan university system with a statewide mission in public affairs whose purpose is to develop educated persons while focusing on five themes: professional education, health, business and economic development, creative arts, and science and the environment.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.
Missouri State University Academics
SMSU provides over 150 undergraduate degree programs and 43 graduate degree programs, most of them being the largest or most prominent in the entire state. The average class size is approximately 30 students. Six colleges, as well as the University College, offer the University’s distinct undergraduate curriculum. The University College is dedicated to ensuring all students succeed at SMSU by offering such courses as “Introduction to University Life.” The National Association for Academic Advising has recognized SMSU faculty for their outstanding achievements in student counseling and mentorship. Overall, the SMSU undergraduate curriculum is designed to encourage retention and graduation.
Southwest Missouri State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 9 colleges: the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business Administration, the College of Continuing Education and the Extended University, the College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, the Graduate College, and the University College. There is also an Honors College.
p. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in approximately 150 fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as agronomy, accounting, antiquities, biology, dance, electronic arts, journalism, industrial management, library science, mass media, music, nursing, radiography, recreation and leisure studies, education, and Spanish. Many of these fields have areas of concentration. Minors are offered in many of the major fields and also in areas such as African American studies, ancient Greek, equine studies, law and society, and retailing/merchandising.
p. Graduate programs are offered in a number of fields. These include master’s level programs in biology, business, chemistry, communications, counseling, education, English, health Administration, material science, nursing, plant science, physical therapy, social work, theatre, and writing. A doctoral degree is offered in educational leadership and in audiology (AuD), and the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered in educational administration. There is an accelerated master’s program in 10 fields, including business, public health, nursing, and various sciences. There are seven graduate certificate programs.
Missouri State University Unique Programs
The Department of Defense and Strategic Studies provides academic preparation for students who plan to enter international security, national security policy, defense, arms control, or educational fields. Policy studies are emphasized, and students undertake a critical examination of strategic, defense, and arms control policies of the United States government.
The Clothing, Textiles & Merchandising program encourages students with a love of fashion and clothes into a successful career by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the field. Students produce fashion shows including their own work and are given the opportunity to fill internships with some of the industry’s leading corporations.
Southwest Missouri State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: ACT score of 27 (SAT of 1220) and class rank in the top 10%. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will take special Honors sections and work on a senior project. Students will also be part of the Honors Council and take part in social events with other Honors students.
p. Distance learning programs are offered in some undergraduate and graduate programs. Students enrolled in distance learning programs will take part in courses on-line, through interactive video, or through teleconferencing. The Jim D. Morris Center for Continuing Education offers computer training, American Sign Language and English as a second language instruction, culinary demonstrations, play therapy workshops, and yoga, among other activities.
Missouri State University Financial Aid
SMSU offers a number of institutional scholarship award programs, the most prestigious of which is the Presidential Scholarship. This award provides over $11,000 in support for incoming freshmen that have a 30+ ACT score (or the SAT equivalent) and rank in the top 10% of their class. Other scholarships such as the Board of Governor’s, the Academic, and the Recognition scholarships require similar ACT/SAT test scores and class rank, but also require a particular high school grade point average, the lowest acceptable GPA being 3.70. Other scholarships are available for multicultural students, student leaders, and applicants displaying similar qualities. The SMSU Financial Aid office also provides support in the form of grants, loans, and work study.
Tuition at Southwest Missouri State University is $164 per credit hour for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. There are also supplemental course fees for some courses, and student service fees.
p. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available; students can work in area not-for-profit agencies as well as the traditional on-campus jobs. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.
p. Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process. There are several scholarships and fee-waiver programs for graduate students.
Missouri State University Students
SMSU is home to over 250 student organizations, and is always welcoming more. If a student does not find their interests represented in any of the cultural, spiritual, or social organizations that already exist, they are free to establish their own organization or affiliation. There are 28 social fraternities and sororities and 94 academic and professional clubs on campus. For the active student, the Student Activities office provides yoga, inner tubing, rock climbing, and other activities to keep students busy outside of class.
Student life at Southwest Missouri State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as the Ballroom Dance Club, the Medieval Era Organization, and the Ozarks Amateur Astronomers Club. Intramural sports include flag football, dodgeball, whiffleball, and inner tube water polo. Students can take yoga, aerobics, dance, and self-defense courses, go on rock climbing and kayaking trips, or play games at the Games Center. There is a student newspaper.
Missouri State University Local Community
Southwest Missouri State University is located in Springfield, Missouri, which has a population of approximately 150,000 and is located in the Ozark mountains. Near-by attractions include a Double A minor league baseball team, a professional hockey team, a performing arts center, a zoo, and a fish and wildlife museum.
Springfield is Missouri’s third largest city. Around the city, the Ozarks provide students with plenty of opportunities for recreation and getting away from the busy life of a college student. An interesting statistic about Springfield is the fact that it is within 500 miles of nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population, making it one of the most accessible cities in the nation, an important factor for many parents and family members whose children attend SMSU. The city offers such diversions as the Hammons Hall for Performing Arts, Battlefield Mall, and the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum.

















Comment and Corrections Make a comment …
Familiar with this University? We would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Missouri State University.
about 1 year ago
Mary Ann Jester oldfashionlady1962 ((at)) yahoo dot com
Please help me. My half brother went to a college name Nexion SMS. I am just wanting to know if this is the same college please. Thank you so much. Mary Ann
about 1 year ago
Michael Cobb cmcobb ((at)) charter dot net
How do I get sealed transcripts from S.M.S. sent to me for admission to other colleges. Thanks, Mike Cobb Attended S.M.S. in late 1967 and early 1969.