Missouri Western State University — College Profile

About

Designated as Missouri’s official applied learning institution, Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph is best known for integrating real-world internships, research, and hands-on professional experiences into every degree program. Academic strengths lie in career-oriented fields such as nursing, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and business through the Steven L. Craig School of Business. Campus culture is close-knit and supportive, characterized by active student organizations, NCAA Division II Griffon athletics, and faculty who prioritize undergraduate mentorship over large lecture halls. Uniquely, the university serves as the annual summer training camp home for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, offering students rare, high-level learning and volunteer opportunities in sports management, operations, and media.

Wikipedia:Missouri Western State University is a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri. As of 2023, it enrolled 3,815 students.

Location

Saint Joseph, MO, 64507 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MCI · Kansas City

32 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$10,306$20,866

Housing & food (on campus)$12,311$12,311

Books & supplies$1,200$1,200

Cost of attendance$21,595$32,155 est.

Average net price$13,251Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$20,866

In-state: $10,306

Housing & food (on campus)$12,311

Books & supplies$1,200

Cost of attendance$32,155 est.

In-state: $21,595

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $13,251

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$11,243

$30–48k

$11,674

$48–75k

$13,965

$75–110k

$16,119

$110k+

$17,764

Your family's actual price → Missouri Western State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$2,984

Share of first-years who get one21%

Source: Missouri Western State University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

39%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

23%

Back for yr 2

54%

Transferred

29%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

41% graduated · 29% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 29% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$37,499

10 yrs after entry$42,647

Debt

Median at graduation$19,968

Monthly payment$212

Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.7k

90th percentile$36,500

Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Missouri Western State University: Not considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Missouri Western State University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Missouri Western State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 41%Women 59%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

15 : 1

Pell grant

28%

First-gen

40%

Family income

$36,641

Independent

23%

Veterans

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

11%

Race & ethnicity

White

66%

Hispanic

Black

14%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

AI/AN

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$37,499

After 10 yrs

$42,647

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing91

Business Administration, Management and Operations54

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other44

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods38

Criminal Justice and Corrections38

Marketing36

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness31

Biology, General29

Psychology, General27

Social Work24

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management23

Computer Science19

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management17

Graphic Communications15

Accounting and Related Services14

Construction Engineering Technology/Technician13

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$40M

Full-time faculty

62%

Faculty salary

$7,902/mo

Teaching spend

$6,261

per student

Federal loans

28%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (small programs)

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, inclusive admissions