Southeast Missouri State University — College Profile

About

Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) is a comprehensive public institution recognized for its robust career-oriented programs in cybersecurity, business, nursing, and education. A major standout is the Holland College of Arts and Media, housed at the scenic River Campus—Missouri’s only separate campus dedicated entirely to the visual and performing arts, overlooking the Mississippi River. Campus life centers on a tight-knit, spirited community enriched by NCAA Division I Redhawks athletics, Greek life, and more than 200 student organizations. SEMO distinguishes itself by prioritizing experiential learning, ensuring students graduate with practical, real-world experience through regional internships, clinical placements, and undergraduate research.

Wikipedia:Southeast Missouri State University is a public university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In addition to the main campus, the university has four regional campuses offering full degree programs and a secondary campus housing the Holland College of Arts and Media. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Location

Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

STL · St. Louis

109 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These figures are federal data and may be out of date.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$9,903$9,903

Housing & food (on campus)$12,198$12,198

Books & supplies$696$696

Cost of attendance$25,177$25,177 est.

Average net price$15,882Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$9,903

Housing & food (on campus)$12,198

Books & supplies$696

Cost of attendance$25,177 est.

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $15,882

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

$12,704

$30–48k

$13,342

$48–75k

$15,338

$75–110k

$17,395

$110k+

$21,267

Your family's actual price → Southeast Missouri 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$5,527

Share of first-years who get one38%

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

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

57%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

41%

Back for yr 2

76%

Transferred

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

55% graduated · 25% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 20% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$38,150

10 yrs after entry$44,030

Debt

Median at graduation$21,500

Monthly payment$228

Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25.8k

90th percentile$35,984

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

74%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

950

Wondering if Southeast Missouri State University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list

Financial aid & net cost estimates

Deep dives on any school

Scholarship search

Get your college list →See a sample college plan first

Essay prompts

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

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

If Southeast Missouri 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

20 : 1

Pell grant

30%

First-gen

37%

Family income

$42,518

Independent

19%

Veterans

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

11%

Race & ethnicity

White

70%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Gymnastics
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

$38,150

After 10 yrs

$44,030

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities139

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods113

Psychology, General112

Business Administration, Management and Operations109

Biology, General100

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas73

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing70

Criminal Justice and Corrections63

Communication and Media Studies57

Agricultural Business and Management49

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication47

Computer and Information Sciences, General41

Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General38

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General37

Visual and Performing Arts, General37

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management35

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$120M

Full-time faculty

68%

Faculty salary

$8,551/mo

Teaching spend

$6,248

per student

Federal loans

33%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (larger programs)

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, inclusive admissions