Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #635 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,277 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Missouri Southern State University in the 81.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #886 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #635 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University enrolls roughly 3,019 undergraduates. Retention is 62.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 41.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Where Missouri Southern State University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #870 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,419, and Missouri Southern State University sits in the 81.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field that consistently delivers strong early-career financial outcomes and aligns with regional employer demand. Access and affordability anchor the composite at lower percentiles. Missouri Southern State University enrolls 34.0% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 45.2% first-generation students, reflecting a broad-access mission typical of regional public universities. Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University in the 44.1 percentile for access and the 89.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For many students, the combination of manageable net pricing, strong graduation support, and solid earnings outcomes makes Missouri Southern State University a practical choice for building career readiness without excessive debt burden.
Missouri Southern State University's published cost of attendance is $19,568. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $9,759, middle-income families pay around $11,233, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,083. Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #149 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Missouri Southern's affordability profile reflects its public tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help families bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,174, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,400; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,419, median federal debt of $19,174 projects to a monthly payment of about $217 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, four-year earnings of $40,006 would shift the real affordability picture — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Missouri Southern State University is a strong fit for students seeking a regional public university experience in MO with a focus on Business programs. The institution serves a student body where 34.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 45.2% are first-generation, reflecting its commitment to accessibility. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,419, placing Missouri Southern State University in the 12.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,277 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 81.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The net price for higher-income families is approximately $15,083, with median federal debt at graduation of $19,174. This structure works well for students who can manage moderate upfront costs while benefiting from the university's regional employer connections. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.0% admit rate makes the application process broadly accessible, and the program mix favors Business fields that represent 19% of degrees. Students whose interests align with these areas will find a clear pathway to regional career opportunities.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Missouri Southern State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
41 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
14 graduates
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
63 graduates
Public Health
16 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
21 graduates
Missouri Southern State University's program mix is anchored in Business, reflecting the institution's regional positioning as a comprehensive public university serving the Joplin area. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 146 graduates annually, followed by Teacher Education, General Studies, Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, and Biology, General.
Across 24 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 789 students annually. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied professional fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $75,985 four years after enrollment across 41 graduates, followed by Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other with $64,765 and 21 graduates. Kinesiology delivers $58,701 for 21 graduates, while Business/Commerce, General and Social Work round out the higher-earning cohort.
The institution's program-mix distribution reflects emphasis on Business at 19%, Education at 11%, and Arts at 4%, positioning graduates for direct entry into regional labor markets. Most of Missouri Southern State University's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's program portfolio aligns with regional and national employment trends in business, education, and applied professional fields.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Missouri Southern State University's published cost of attendance is $19,568. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $9,759, middle-income families pay around $11,233, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,083.
Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #149 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Missouri Southern's affordability profile reflects its public tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help families bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,174, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,400; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $52,419, median federal debt of $19,174 projects to a monthly payment of about $217 under standard ten-year repayment.
In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, four-year earnings of $40,006 would shift the real affordability picture — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn median 4-year earnings of $52,419, placing the institution in the 12.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Missouri Southern State University sits in the 81.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Missouri Southern State University #870 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 41.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to MO's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $31,959 (the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern reflects Missouri Southern State University's concentration in Business and applied professional fields. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 146 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $55,286, at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field.
The Teacher Education program graduates 90 students earning $39,419, and the The General Studies program graduates 89 students earning $46,892. Together, these programs anchor the institution's economic profile and align with regional labor-market demand in the Joplin area and across Missouri.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Oregon University Similar quality tier (#19135 ranked) | OR | 98% | $51,815 | #19135 | Compare |
University Of South Dakota Similar quality tier in Midwest (#19123 ranked) | SD | 99% | $51,926 | #19123 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce Similar quality tier (#19117 ranked) | PR | 52% | $31,394 | #19117 | Compare |
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Similar quality tier (#19109 ranked) | OR | 63% | $64,010 | #19109 | Compare |
The University Of Tennessee-Martin Similar quality tier (#19141 ranked) | TN | 88% | $44,213 | #19141 | Compare |
