Missouri Western State University
Tuition, net price, admissions, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Saint Joseph, Missouri
Net price / year
$13,251
after grants & scholarships
lower than 52% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
Open admission
accepts most applicants
Graduation rate
39%
within 150% of normal time
lower than 66% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$53,293
4 years after graduating
lower than 72% of public 4-year colleges
Missouri Western State University at a glance
- What is the tuition at Missouri Western State University?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $10,306 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $20,866 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at Missouri Western State University?
- The average cost of attendance is $21,595 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at Missouri Western State University?
- The average net price for in-state students is $13,251 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at Missouri Western State University?
- This school has open admission: most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted.
- What is the graduation rate at Missouri Western State University?
- 39% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of Missouri Western State University earn?
- The median graduate earns $53,293 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.9 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- This school has open admission, so most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $11,243 a year on average, versus $17,764 for families earning over $110,000.
- Graduates earn a median $53,293 four years after finishing, less than 72% of public 4-year colleges.
- One year into repayment, 14% of federal-loan borrowers had paid in full or were making progress on their balance (2,120 borrowers).
Tuition and cost of attendance at Missouri Western State University
Average net price (in-state)
$13,251 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the Missouri Western State University net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$53,004
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $11,243
- $30–48k $11,674
- $48–75k $13,965
- $75–110k $16,119
- $110k+ $17,764
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $21,595
- Tuition & fees$10,306
- Books & supplies$1,200
- Room & board$12,311
- Other expenses$4,860
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $10,306
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $20,866
Missouri Western State University acceptance rate and admissions
Open admission
The school admits most applicants who meet basic requirements.
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from Missouri Western State University
Graduation rate
39%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
56%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$212
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
2.9 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.4×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 4.8%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 39%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $26,153 · median $42,647 · 75th percentile $62,659
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 2,120 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 6%
- Making progress 8%
- Not making progress 12%
- Delinquent 1%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 60%
- Deferment 12%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
2,120 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at Missouri Western State University ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 134 | $74,875 | 1 yr$70,9384 yrs$74,8755 yrs$72,447 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Below the U.S. median | $22,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $68,405 | 1 yr$55,9554 yrs$68,4055 yrs$65,401 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Below the U.S. median | $18,350 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $67,011 | 1 yr$47,2654 yrs$67,011 | U.S. median $83,343 U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Below the U.S. median | $19,381 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $65,896 | 1 yr$47,1414 yrs$65,896 | U.S. median $93,843 U.S. middle half $77.4K–$111.7K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 68 | $62,581 | 1 yr$41,9024 yrs$62,5815 yrs$50,170 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Below the U.S. median | $22,810 |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $60,025 | 1 yr$47,2024 yrs$60,0255 yrs$60,816 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $57,015 | 1 yr$43,0704 yrs$57,015 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Below the U.S. median | $18,143 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $55,059 | — | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 34 | $53,505 | 1 yr$40,9364 yrs$53,5055 yrs$48,681 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Below the U.S. median | $24,935 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Bachelor's · Graduates: 54 | $52,709 | 1 yr$39,8084 yrs$52,7095 yrs$46,095 | U.S. median $55,378 U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Below the U.S. median | $19,947 |
Show all 21 programs
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $51,174 | 1 yr$34,7294 yrs$51,1745 yrs$49,458 | U.S. median $55,693 U.S. middle half $40.3K–$72.2K · Below the U.S. median | $21,102 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Associate · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $48,876 | 1 yr$36,3504 yrs$48,876 | U.S. median $42,269 U.S. middle half $28.6K–$56K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $48,596 | 4 yrs$48,5965 yrs$60,207 | U.S. median $58,716 U.S. middle half $41.9K–$80.4K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $47,177 | 4 yrs$47,1775 yrs$41,623 | U.S. median $50,468 U.S. middle half $37.5K–$64.3K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $46,402 | 1 yr$30,0794 yrs$46,4025 yrs$35,074 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median | $25,753 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $46,342 | 1 yr$32,1994 yrs$46,342 | U.S. median $45,338 U.S. middle half $34.2K–$59.3K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $46,187 | 1 yr$33,5324 yrs$46,1875 yrs$44,133 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Below the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 75 | $45,251 | 1 yr$36,5574 yrs$45,2515 yrs$46,279 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Below the U.S. median | $17,875 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $41,728 | 1 yr$37,2004 yrs$41,728 | U.S. median $51,490 U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $40,716 | — | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 64 | $39,163 | 1 yr$33,6954 yrs$39,1635 yrs$39,329 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Below the U.S. median | $19,493 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 65.7%
- Black or African American 14%
- Hispanic or Latino 1.3%
- Asian 1.5%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 1.3%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.2%
- Two or more races 9.2%
- U.S. nonresident 1.1%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 5.8%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 40.7%
- Women 59.4%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
9%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 2,219
- Part-time students
- 11%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 28%
- Receive federal loans
- 28%
- Students per faculty member
- 15 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at Missouri Western State University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Missouri Western State University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $10,306 for in-state students and $20,866 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at Missouri Western State University?
The average cost of attendance at Missouri Western State University is $21,595 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $13,251 a year. That is around the middle of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at Missouri Western State University get?
28% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 28% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $11,243 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $17,764 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at Missouri Western State University?
Missouri Western State University has open admission: it accepts most applicants who meet basic requirements.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at Missouri Western State University?
39% of first-time, full-time students at Missouri Western State University finish within 150% of normal time. 56% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do Missouri Western State University graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $53,293 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $41,832.
Is Missouri Western State University worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For Missouri Western State University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.9 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $19,968, about 0.4 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 39% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
How much debt do Missouri Western State University graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed have a median federal-loan debt of $19,968, or about $212 a month on a 10-year plan.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things