Missouri Southern Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Joplin, MO
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#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

Missouri Southern Admission Overview

Missouri Southern admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Missouri Southern admitted 97% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.5 GPA (A-) and SAT 1150-1420 / ACT 17-24. Missouri Southern is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Missouri Southern Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

97%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Missouri Southern State University

Acceptance Rate

The Missouri Southern acceptance rate is 97%. Last year, 3,099 of 3,194 applicants were admitted. That is the 41st lowest acceptance rate in Missouri.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Missouri Southern and can you get accepted?

Missouri Southern is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Missouri Southern State University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Missouri Southern GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.5

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.5

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Missouri Southern typically have around a 3.5 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Missouri Southern is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #20 in Missouri for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Missouri Southern State University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 14.52% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.24% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 19.6% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.89% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.62% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 16.33% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.35% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.27% Reach
less than 1.00 0.18% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Missouri Southern SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1150-1420

Freshmen who sent SAT

4%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 540
  • Math 610
  • Composite 1150
SAT 25th percentile scores for Missouri Southern State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 690
  • Math 730
  • Composite 1420
SAT 75th percentile scores for Missouri Southern State University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Missouri Southern typically score around a 1290 SAT (middle 50% 1150–1420) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 87th percentile nationally. Missouri Southern ranks #5 in the state of Missouri and #219 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1150 to 1420

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Missouri Southern is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1290 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Missouri Southern State University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1420+ Above 75th >98%
1290 to 1420 Avg + 97%-98%
1150 to 1290 Avg - 94%-97%
Below 1150 Below mid-50 <94%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Missouri Southern ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

17-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

71%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 15
  • Math 16
  • Composite 17
ACT 25th percentile scores for Missouri Southern State University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 24
  • Math 24
  • Composite 24
ACT 75th percentile scores for Missouri Southern State University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Missouri Southern typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Missouri Southern places #31 among colleges in Missouri for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Missouri Southern without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Missouri Southern State University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
24+ Above 75th >99%
20 to 24 Avg + 97%-99%
17 to 20 Avg - 95%-97%
Below 17 Below mid-50 <95%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

75% of Missouri Southern State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Missouri Southern State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 19%
Top 25% of class 40%
Top 50% of class 75%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Missouri Southern chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Missouri Southern State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,833 1,356 3,194
Accepted 1,772 1,322 3,099
Acceptance Rate 97% 97% 97%
Enrolled 378 256 634
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 19% 20%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Missouri Southern State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Missouri Southern State University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Missouri Southern State University is $35.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Missouri Southern State University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Missouri Southern is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 97% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.5 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1150-1420); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Missouri Southern State University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=178341.

GPA calculator: Missouri Southern State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026