Southeast Missouri State University
#3 Best Education Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,030 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,882 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 74% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Education Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $980,311.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 80%
- Patents
- 8
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 8
- Downstream influence
Why Southeast Missouri State University Matters
Southeast Missouri State University is a public university in Cape Girardeau, 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
- 6,373
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Southeast 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
Competitive — admits about 74% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,882 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,030 ten years after enrolling — 8% 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 79% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southeast Missouri State University, with an enrollment of about 6,373 students, is an accessible choice for those looking to pursue degrees in Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Humanities, and Communications. With a 74% acceptance rate, it's a welcoming environment for students who want to engage in a variety of academic pursuits while still enjoying the community feel of a public university. The graduation rate stands at 57%, which highlights both the challenges and successes students can face on their journey to earning a degree.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni a decade out is $44,030. This number gives a good snapshot of the financial outcomes for graduates. While we don’t have mobility data, this figure suggests that many graduates find stable employment in their fields, which can be particularly important for those considering their long-term career paths. Affordability is also a key factor here; with a net price of $15,882, students can expect to navigate their education without overwhelming financial strain.
In terms of financial impact, graduates leave with a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The 30% Pell Grant rate indicates a significant number of students are receiving financial assistance, which can further ease the burden. Students who thrive here often appreciate the supportive community and the practical focus of their programs, allowing them to build the skills they need for the workforce while also enjoying campus life.
Rankings
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #3 Best Communications Colleges in Missouri
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Missouri
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #7 Best Master's Programs in Missouri
- #7 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #7 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective Southeast 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 Southeast Missouri State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southeast Missouri State University, located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 950. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 950
- ACT Range
- 15–20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,551
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 7,092
- Admitted
- 6,121
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 Southeast Missouri State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southeast Missouri State University is $9,903, 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 $15,882. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,704 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,903
- Out-of-State
- $9,903
- Avg Net Price
- $15,882
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,704
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,342
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,338
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,267
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southeast Missouri State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southeast Missouri State University report median earnings of $44,030, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,150
- 8 Years
- $42,027
- 10 Years
- $44,030
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (553)
- 32%
- 100% (553)
- 32%
- 100% (553)
- 32%
- 100% (553)
- 32%
How Southeast 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 Southeast Missouri State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southeast Missouri State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,882/year ($63,528 total). Graduates earn $44,030 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,043,839 in total earnings — a net gain of $980,311 (16.4× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,528
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,043,839
- Net Return
- $980,311
- ROI Multiple
- 16.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,882
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
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 Southeast Missouri State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southeast 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 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.96%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $85,200
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Southeast Missouri State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 8 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.17%
- Top 80% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 8
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 8
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,662,349
- Investment Income
- $-227,676
Top Programs
The fields Southeast Missouri State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Health Professions 12%
- Education 12%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Psychology 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Communications 5%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southeast 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 Southeast Missouri State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southeast Missouri State University, located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 950. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southeast Missouri State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southeast Missouri State University is $9,903, 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 $15,882. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,704 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Southeast Missouri State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southeast Missouri State University report median earnings of $44,030, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Southeast Missouri State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southeast 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 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southeast 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 Southeast Missouri State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, 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 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southeast Missouri State University.
- Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL · Close peer53% grad $45,235 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI · Close peer52% grad $47,107 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO · Close peer52% grad $49,560 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO · Close peer56% grad $47,885 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL · Close peer54% grad $45,415 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC · Close peer49% grad $42,396 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southeast 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 Southeast Missouri State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, 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 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note