Missouri Southern State University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 40% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,620 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,007 B-
- 30% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $20.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $929,286.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 40% — 30% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Missouri Southern State University Matters
Missouri Southern State University is a public university in Joplin, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,019
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Education
Why students choose Missouri Southern State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1150–1420. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,007 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,620 ten years after enrolling — 5% above the typical college, against $19,174 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 38% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO, is an accessible choice for many students. It's a good fit for those who may be looking to study areas like Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, or Humanities. The school has a welcoming environment where students can find their footing academically and socially.
After graduation, students see an average earning of $42,620 within ten years. That’s a solid starting point for many, especially considering the affordability of attending Missouri Southern. The net price after aid is around $12,007, making it a manageable option for those mindful of their financial futures. While the graduation rate is 40%, there are still pathways for upward mobility, especially for those who engage with available resources.
On the financial side, students graduate with a median debt of $19,174, which is relatively low compared to many institutions. This means that graduates can enter the workforce with less financial burden, allowing for a smoother transition into their careers. Those who thrive here often appreciate a community-oriented atmosphere and hands-on learning opportunities, especially in the applied programs.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri
- #5 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #12 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective Missouri Southern State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Missouri Southern State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Joplin, Missouri, Missouri Southern State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,065. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- SAT Average
- 1065
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 1150–1420
- ACT Range
- 17–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,706
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
- Applicants
- 1,937
- Admitted
- 1,927
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Missouri Southern State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Missouri Southern State University is $17,080, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,007. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,759 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,174 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,960
- Out-of-State
- $17,080
- Avg Net Price
- $12,007
- Median Debt
- $19,174
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,759
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,132
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,233
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,083
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Missouri Southern State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Missouri Southern State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Missouri Southern State University report median earnings of $42,620, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,866
- 8 Years
- $42,477
- 10 Years
- $42,620
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (116)
- 15%
- 100% (116)
- 15%
- 100% (116)
- 15%
- 100% (116)
- 15%
How Missouri Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Missouri Southern State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Missouri Southern State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,007/year ($48,028 total). Graduates earn $42,620 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $977,314 in total earnings — a net gain of $929,286 (20.3× your investment). The median debt is $19,174, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 40% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $48,028
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $977,314
- Net Return
- $929,286
- ROI Multiple
- 20.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,007
- Median Debt
- $19,174
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Missouri Southern State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Missouri Southern State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.72%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.72%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $86,682
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,557,714
- Investment Income
- $103,386
Top Programs
The fields Missouri Southern State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 19% $64,774 early-career
- Business & Marketing 14% $46,275 early-career
- Criminal Justice 14% $39,856 early-career
- Education 11% $40,753 early-career
- Psychology 8% $34,410 early-career
- Humanities 6% $32,667 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $31,914 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $56,950 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Missouri Southern State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Missouri Southern State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Joplin, Missouri, Missouri Southern State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,065. The graduation rate is roughly 40%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Missouri Southern State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Missouri Southern State University is $17,080, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,007. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,759 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,174 in federal student loans.
Is Missouri Southern State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Missouri Southern State University report median earnings of $42,620, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Missouri Southern State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Missouri Southern State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.72%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Missouri Southern State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Missouri Southern State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Missouri Southern State University.
- Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SC · Close peer43% grad $43,888 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL · Close peer34% grad $44,391 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick, GA · Close peer26% grad $39,318 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC · Close peer40% grad $45,603 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer29% grad $38,518 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA · Close peer42% grad $44,544 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Missouri Southern State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Missouri Southern State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note