Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #661 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,083 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 84.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #1107 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for its student population. Missouri Western State University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across access, mobility, and affordability. The institution's health-focused program mix supports graduates entering stable career pathways in the region.
Azimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #661 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Saint Joseph, Missouri, Missouri Western State University enrolls roughly 2,219 undergraduates. Retention is 53.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 38.5%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Missouri Western State University is anchored in affordability and access. 28.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 39.7% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as a broad-access institution serving students from limited financial backgrounds. Azimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #772 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,083 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Missouri Western State University in the 84.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Health, which aligns with strong regional labor-market demand and supports graduates into stable, accessible career pathways. Missouri Western State University delivers meaningful value for students seeking an affordable public education with clear pathways to employment. The combination of low barriers to entry, strong support for first-generation and low-income students, and earnings outcomes that exceed expectations for comparable institutions makes this a particularly strong option for families prioritizing financial accessibility alongside long-term economic mobility.
Missouri Western State University's published cost of attendance is $21,595. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $11,243, middle-income families pay around $13,965, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,764. Azimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #203 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 Western State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry out, which shapes long-term financial outcomes after enrollment. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,968, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,334; 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 $53,293, median federal debt of $19,968 projects to a monthly payment of about $226 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Missouri Western State University is a good fit for students interested in health fields who want a public university experience in MO. Its program mix leans toward Health, with 15% of graduates pursuing degrees in this area. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,293, placing Missouri Western State University in the 13.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,083 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 84.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 39.7% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that support upward mobility. Published cost of attendance is $21,595 and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $11,243 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors health-oriented fields over STEM or business, and the earnings trajectory reflects MO's regional labor market. Students whose interests align with health fields and who are comfortable with the regional context will find a strong pathway to stable careers.
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 Western State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Missouri Western State University's published cost of attendance is $21,595. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $11,243, middle-income families pay around $13,965, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,764.
Azimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #203 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 Western State University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry out, which shapes long-term financial outcomes after enrollment.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,968, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,334; 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 $53,293, median federal debt of $19,968 projects to a monthly payment of about $226 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Missouri Western State University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,293, placing Missouri Western State University in the 13.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,083 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 84.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Missouri Western State University #771 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 104 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $74,875. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other reports 57 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $51,174.
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness reports 50 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $45,251. Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 40 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $62,581.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
104 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
5 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
17 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
40 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
26 graduates
Missouri Western State University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university serving the Midwest. Nursing is the largest program with 104 graduates annually, followed by Interdisciplinary Studies, Kinesiology, Business Administration, and Biology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 663 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in Business (representing 15% of graduates), Education (representing 8%), and Arts (representing 6%). The highest-earning programs at Missouri Western State University reflect the institution's health-sciences focus and workforce-aligned curriculum.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $74,875 four years after enrollment across 104 graduates, followed by Business Administration earning $62,581 with 40 graduates, and Accounting earning $60,025 with 26 graduates. Biology, General and Criminal Justice round out the top earners with $53,505 and $52,709 respectively.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable, in-demand fields with consistent hiring and wage growth. Missouri Western State University's program portfolio emphasizes applied credentials and professional preparation aligned with regional labor-market demand.
The concentration in health and business fields positions graduates for careers in nursing, allied health, accounting, and management—sectors with sustained employer recruitment and wage stability. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides context for how these dominant program families align with national labor-market trends and long-term career sustainability.
