Missouri Southern vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO with Missouri State University Springfield in Springfield, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri State University Springfield is larger than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (24,360 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri State University Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

Missouri Southern vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or Missouri State University-Springfield? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Southern State University than Missouri State University-Springfield ($11,626 vs. $17,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 17.1% lower than at Missouri State University Springfield ($9,119 vs. $11,006).
• Missouri State University Springfield is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $542 more per year; $9,502.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Missouri State University-Springfield than at Missouri Southern State University (about $1,690 more per year; $18,770.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Southern State University as at Missouri State University Springfield (90% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($8,770 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern or Missouri State University-Springfield? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Missouri State University-Springfield and Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 140 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Missouri State University-Springfield (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

Missouri Southern vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern and Missouri State University-Springfield? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Missouri State University Springfield's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $1,669 lower median loan debt than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($20,831 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($215 vs. $232).
• More Missouri State University-Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.