Northwest Missouri State University
#2 Best Education Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,885 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,244 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.4 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $17.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,062,723.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northwest Missouri State University Matters
Northwest Missouri State University is a public university in Maryville, 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,378
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Northwest Missouri 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 86% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 976–1193. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,244 a year after grants and scholarships — 5% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,885 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 80% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 86%, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville is a welcoming choice for students who are looking for a supportive environment. It's particularly well-suited for those interested in Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, and Computer Science & IT. The school emphasizes hands-on learning, which helps prepare students for real-world challenges.
After graduation, students from Northwest Missouri State can expect to earn an average of $47,885 within ten years. The affordability factor is also significant; the net price after aid is around $16,244, which can make the financial burden more manageable. While the graduation rate sits at 56%, it indicates that many students find their path to success, even if it takes a bit longer for some.
Looking at the numbers, the median debt of $21,500 suggests that students can leave with a reasonable financial load. Those who tend to thrive here are often those ready to engage with the community and take advantage of the various programs available. With a focus on practical skills and a diverse range of studies, students can find their niche and build a strong foundation for their future careers.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #5 Best Business Colleges in Missouri
- #5 Best Communications Colleges in Missouri
- #7 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
- #8 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #8 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
- #8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #8 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective Northwest Missouri 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 Northwest Missouri State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northwest Missouri State University, located in Maryville, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,119. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- SAT Average
- 1119
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 976–1193
- ACT Range
- 19–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 80%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,101
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.36
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 6,877
- Admitted
- 5,884
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 Northwest Missouri State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwest Missouri State University is $17,324, 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 $16,244. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,176 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,611
- Out-of-State
- $17,324
- Avg Net Price
- $16,244
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,176
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,447
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,959
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,796
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 Northwest Missouri 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 Northwest Missouri State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $47,885, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,695
- 8 Years
- $44,756
- 10 Years
- $47,885
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (448)
- 35%
- 100% (448)
- 35%
- 100% (448)
- 35%
- 100% (448)
- 35%
How Northwest 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 Northwest Missouri State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northwest Missouri State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,244/year ($64,976 total). Graduates earn $47,885 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,127,699 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,062,723 (17.4× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $64,976
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,127,699
- Net Return
- $1,062,723
- ROI Multiple
- 17.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,244
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
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 Northwest Missouri State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwest Missouri State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.95%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.95%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $109,915
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,388,269
- Investment Income
- $-2,789,685
Top Programs
The fields Northwest Missouri 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.
- Business & Marketing 21% $69,715 early-career
- Education 16% $40,559 early-career
- Psychology 9% $37,654 early-career
- Health Professions 8%
- Humanities 5% $32,661 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $77,692 early-career
- Communications 5% $46,521 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $40,390 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 Northwest Missouri 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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Northwest Missouri State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Northwest Missouri State University, located in Maryville, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,119. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwest Missouri State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northwest Missouri State University is $17,324, 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 $16,244. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,176 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Northwest Missouri State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $47,885, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Northwest Missouri State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northwest Missouri State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.95%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Northwest Missouri 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 Northwest Missouri State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), 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 Northwest Missouri State University.
- University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney, NE · Close peer59% grad $50,105 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg, KS · Close peer57% grad $50,579 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Close peer49% grad $48,472 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO · Close peer51% grad $52,231 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Southern MainePortland, ME · Close peer43% grad $49,958 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC · Close peer59% grad $47,185 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northwest Missouri 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 Northwest Missouri State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), 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