West Plains, Missouri Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in West Plains, Missouri: median public in-state tuition $5,936 (+7.7% vs national median) median graduate debt $10,000 (-24.6% vs U.S.) 1,055 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 1,055 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $5,936 (+7.7% vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $16,005 (+60.5% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $10,000 (-24.6% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $16,750
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Overview
Colleges and universities in West Plains serve students across Missouri with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 1,055 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $5,936. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against West Plains, Missouri and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
West Plains vs Missouri & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plains, Missouri | $5,936 | $16,005 | $10,000 | N/A | 1,055 |
| Missouri (state median) | $7,584 | $12,954 | $16,750 | 53.0% | 208,336 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: West Plains, Missouri vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plains, Missouri | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | N/A | N/A |
| Missouri (state median) | $48,991 | 91.3% | 71.0% | 5.8% | — | 71.5% | 0.45 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Missouri (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plains, Missouri | $5,936 | $16,005 | $10,000 | N/A | 1,055 | N/A | N/A |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Columbia | $25,826 | $21,492 | $22,190 | 42.7% | 29,377 | $45,378 | 87.6% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Springfield | $14,822 | $18,141 | $20,979 | 57.9% | 27,085 | $43,634 | 87.0% |
| Saint Louis | $27,166 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 56.6% | 25,594 | $57,571 | 93.2% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
In-state tuition: West Plains, Missouri vs benchmarks
Sticker price
West Plains, Missouri median in-state tuition is $5,936, +7.7% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: West Plains, Missouri vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in West Plains, Missouri is $10,000 (-24.6% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
West Plains, Missouri median public in-state tuition is $5,936, about +7.7% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is -4.6%.
Median graduate debt is $10,000 (-24.6% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in West Plains?
This city profile covers 2 campuses in West Plains, Missouri with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in West Plains?
Median in-state tuition in West Plains is $5,936 and median net price is $16,005. For Missouri overall, medians are $7,584 and $12,954; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in West Plains?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in West Plains is N/A vs $48,991 for Missouri and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for West Plains colleges?
Median completer debt in West Plains is $10,000 vs $16,750 for Missouri and $13,271 nationally.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in West Plains?
Among 2 College Scorecard campuses in West Plains, Missouri, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.
Sources & related
- Missouri college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON