Missouri Western State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Missouri Western State University is a public research university in Saint Joseph, Missouri, enrolling about 2,219 students. Missouri Western State University awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $10,306 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $42,647 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,306
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,251 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,219 89.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 38.54%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 39.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 7.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 8.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 61.6%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,954
- Room & Board: $12,311 annual estimate
Missouri Western State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Missouri Western State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Missouri Western State University?
Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO (ZIP 64507).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Missouri Western State University public or private?
Missouri Western State University is a Public institution.
How much does Missouri Western State University cost?
Published tuition: $10,306 in-state, $20,866 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,251.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,243 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,674 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $13,965 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,119 |
| $110,001+ | $17,764 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $41,224.
How big is Missouri Western State University?
Total enrollment: 2,219 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,954 students.
Graduate enrollment: 225 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Missouri Western State University?
150%-time completion rate: 38.54%.
First-year retention: 53.8%.
What do graduates of Missouri Western State University earn?
Median earnings: $37,499 six years after entry; $42,647 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,968.
28.44% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Missouri Western State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (82 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (68 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (35 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (32 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (31 completions)
- Psychology, General (30 completions)
- Social Work (30 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (25 completions)
- Accounting (25 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (20 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Missouri Western State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 38.54%; median earnings $42,647 at 10 years; net price $13,251. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,306
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Missouri Western State University was $10,306.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,251
2024 Value
In 2024 Missouri Western State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,251.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$53,004 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,251 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$41,224 4-Year In-State Tuition
$83,464 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,311 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$23,817 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$95,268 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Missouri Western State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
28.44% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
27.94% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Missouri Western State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Missouri Western State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,400 | $12,006 | $9,958 |
| 2014 | $6,790 | $12,420 | $10,367 |
| 2015 | $7,090 | $12,860 | $10,251 |
| 2016 | $7,330 | $13,070 | $10,026 |
| 2017 | $7,570 | $13,465 | $10,905 |
| 2018 | $7,960 | $13,835 | $10,607 |
| 2019 | $8,225 | $14,135 | $10,958 |
| 2020 | $8,875 | $15,300 | $10,897 |
| 2021 | $8,875 | $15,400 | $13,220 |
| 2022 | $9,090 | $16,100 | $11,702 |
| 2023 | $9,800 | $17,500 | $12,638 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Missouri Western State University reported total enrollment of about 2,219 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (65.7%), Black or African American (14.0%), and Two or More Races (9.2%). About 28.44% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 39.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
89.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Missouri Western State University in 2024 is 2,219 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,954 students. Graduate enrollment is about 225 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
53.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 65.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
22.83% 100% Completion Time
38.54% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 22.83% of students graduating from Missouri Western State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 17% male / 83% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 56% male / 44% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 26% male / 74% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Missouri Western State University.
Return on Investment
$19,968 Median Student Debt
$42,647 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
46.82% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
704.60% Return on Investment
4.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Missouri Western State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 51 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 82 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 68 completions
3. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 35 completions
4. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 32 completions
5. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 31 completions
6. Psychology, General: 30 completions
7. Social Work: 30 completions
8. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 25 completions
9. Accounting: 25 completions
Most popular programs at Missouri Western State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Missouri Western State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Missouri Western State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 61.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,902
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $6,261
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Missouri Western State University is a public institution located in Saint Joseph, MO, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General. Enrollment is approximately 2,219 students. Student body composition includes White (65.7%), Black or African American (14.0%), Two or More Races (9.2%). The 150%-time completion rate is 38.54%. Approximately 28.44% of students receive Pell Grants. About 39.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 38.54% graduation rate at Missouri Western State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 51 distinct degree programs, Missouri Western State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Missouri Western State University located?
Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO.
How much does Missouri Western State University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,306 and average net price is $13,251 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,311 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Missouri Western State University?
Missouri Western State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,954 students, White (65.7%), Black or African American (14.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Missouri Western State University?
About 39.7% of students at Missouri Western State University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Missouri Western State University earn?
Median earnings are $37,499 six years after entry and $42,647 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Missouri Western State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 38.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Missouri Western State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,968.
Is Missouri Western State University public or private?
Missouri Western State University is a public institution located in Saint Joseph, MO.
Is Missouri Western State University an HBCU?
No. Missouri Western State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Missouri Western State University a tribal college?
No. Missouri Western State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Missouri Western State University a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Missouri Western State University does not meet that proxy (reported share 1.3%).
Is Missouri Western State University religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Missouri Western State University in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Missouri college costs
- Missouri colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Missouri
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.