Missouri State University-Springfield
- Graduation Rate
- 58% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,827 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,613 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,221,466.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 22% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Missouri State University-Springfield Matters
Missouri State University-Springfield is a public doctoral / professional university in Springfield, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 13,313
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Social Sciences
Why students choose Missouri State University-Springfield
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 91% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1020–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,613 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,827 ten years after enrolling — 22% above the typical college, against $21,992 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.65 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 13,000 students, Missouri State University-Springfield is a great fit for those seeking a large public university experience. The acceptance rate of 91% indicates that the school welcomes a broad range of applicants, making it accessible for students from various backgrounds. Many students here focus on popular fields such as Business & Marketing, Education, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Psychology, giving them a solid foundation for various career paths.
After graduation, Missouri State alumni can expect to earn about $49,827 within ten years, which is a decent start in today’s job market. While the graduation rate sits at 58%, it’s important to note that many graduates find their footing in the workforce and move up in their careers. The net price of $17,613 makes it relatively affordable, especially considering that 22% of students receive Pell Grants to help cover costs.
When looking at the financial side, the median debt for graduates is around $21,992, which is manageable for many students entering the workforce. Those who thrive here typically appreciate a supportive community and are motivated to pursue their studies actively. The combination of affordability, a wide array of programs, and a welcoming environment makes Missouri State a solid choice for students ready to take their next steps.
Rankings
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Missouri
- #25 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
- #26 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #26 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #30 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #30 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #31 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
- #31 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective Missouri State University-Springfield 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 State University-Springfield? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Missouri State University-Springfield, located in Springfield, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,122. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1122
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1020–1270
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 67%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,014
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 9,625
- Admitted
- 8,909
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 State University-Springfield? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Missouri State University-Springfield is $18,770, 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 $17,613. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,718 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,992 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,502
- Out-of-State
- $18,770
- Avg Net Price
- $17,613
- Median Debt
- $21,992
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,718
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,529
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,905
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,576
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 State University-Springfield — 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 State University-Springfield Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Missouri State University-Springfield earn a median of $49,827, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,553
- 8 Years
- $45,032
- 10 Years
- $49,827
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (998)
- 35%
- 100% (998)
- 35%
- 100% (998)
- 35%
- 100% (998)
- 35%
How Missouri Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Missouri State University-Springfield Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Missouri State University-Springfield delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,613/year ($70,452 total). Graduates earn $49,827 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,291,918 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,221,466 (18.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,992, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 58% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $70,452
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,291,918
- Net Return
- $1,221,466
- ROI Multiple
- 18.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,613
- Median Debt
- $21,992
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Missouri State University-Springfield 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.
- Business & Marketing 18% $72,503 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $65,265 early-career
- Education 10% $37,594 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $47,685 early-career
- Psychology 7% $33,505 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $31,312 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $35,844 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $74,356 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 State University-Springfield'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 State University-Springfield? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Missouri State University-Springfield, located in Springfield, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,122. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Missouri State University-Springfield? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Missouri State University-Springfield is $18,770, 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 $17,613. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,718 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,992 in federal student loans.
Is Missouri State University-Springfield Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Missouri State University-Springfield earn a median of $49,827, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 State University-Springfield. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Missouri State University-Springfield.
- University of ToledoToledo, OH · Close peer56% grad $50,632 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN · Close peer63% grad $51,833 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Close peer58% grad $53,562 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · Close peer50% grad $53,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL · Close peer63% grad $54,501 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · Close peer61% grad $53,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 State University-Springfield. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note