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Missouri Southern State University

3950 E Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595, USA

Missouri Southern State University award
Missouri Southern State University award
US ranking
position: 366
Tuition & fees per year: $9,900
Acceptance rate: 97.00%
Median alumni salary: $38,813
Avg. SAT and ACT: 1060 SAT, 21 ACT
Entrance difficulty: Moderate

What does Missouri Southern State University offer in terms of athletics?

Missouri Southern State University provides a variety of athletic programs as part of its campus life, competing primarily at the NCAA Division II level. The university supports both men's and women's sports, emphasizing a balance between athletics and academics for its student-athletes.

The institution fields teams in multiple sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cross country, track and field, and golf. This range of options allows students to engage in competitive sports across different seasons and develop their skills within a strong community setting. Missouri Southern's athletic programs are designed to foster teamwork, discipline, and leadership while promoting physical fitness and school spirit.

In addition to varsity sports, the university offers opportunities for student involvement through intramural and club sports, providing a more casual environment for competition and recreation. Facilities supporting these athletic endeavors include training and practice venues that meet collegiate standards, contributing to a comprehensive sports experience on campus.

Missouri Southern's commitment to athletics also extends to maintaining a supportive environment for its athletes, with access to academic advising and resources to help balance the demands of sports participation alongside educational goals.

What student groups and Associations are available at Missouri Southern State University?

Missouri Southern State University offers a variety of student groups and associations that cater to diverse interests and provide opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom. Among these are Omicron Delta Kappa - Golden Crest Circle, which is an honor society recognizing leadership and scholarship. The university also supports Project Stay, an initiative likely focused on student retention and success.

Active student governance and event planning are facilitated through the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the Student Senate, which allow students to contribute to campus life and represent their peers. Additionally, The Green Bandana Project is present, emphasizing community awareness and activism.

Regarding participation, approximately 0.4% of male students and less than 0.1% of female students belong to social organizations, indicating a modest level of involvement in these groups relative to the total male and female student populations at Missouri Southern State University.

Who studies at Missouri Southern State University?

Missouri Southern State University enrolls a diverse student body with various backgrounds and stages in their academic journeys. Freshmen admissions average around 579 students, positioning the university below the midpoint compared to other institutions, while transfer enrollments are approximately 378, which ranks near the median.

The majority of students are undergraduates, spanning a wide age range. Younger students aged 18 to 21 make up a significant portion, but there is also a considerable number of older undergraduates, including those above 30 years of age, reflecting a mix of traditional and non-traditional students. Graduate students are fewer in number but present across multiple age groups, particularly between 22 and 49 years old.

Diversity in student origin shows that approximately 67% of students are in-state residents, which places the university in the lower half nationally, while out-of-state students constitute about 27%, also ranking modestly. The student population includes a majority of American citizens, about 94%, a figure that is comparatively strong nationally, along with a smaller share representing international origins.

Ethnically, the university's student demographics reveal a predominantly white population, followed by Hispanic and African American students forming significant minorities. The institution is notably higher in the representation of Native American students than most universities, with this group being in the top 10% nationally. Other ethnic groups such as Asian, Pacific Islander, and students identifying with two or more races make up smaller portions of the total enrollment.

How does student life look like at Missouri Southern State University?

Student life at Missouri Southern State University offers a blend of cultural, artistic, and support services that support a balanced college experience. The campus spans 381 acres and includes opportunities to participate in various artistic pursuits such as drama, chorus, band, radio, and television, contributing to a vibrant creative community.

The university supports its students with essential health and well-being services, including a health clinic, psychological counseling, and a veterans affairs office, though it does not provide legal services or a women's center on campus. Additionally, the campus maintains a newspaper, allowing students to engage with campus news and events.

Enrollment at Missouri Southern State University is moderate, with a total student body of 4,147, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 15: 1, which suggests reasonably accessible faculty interaction. The gender distribution among full-time degree seekers leans towards women, with 346 enrolled compared to 238 men.

What libraries are available to students at Missouri Southern State University?

Missouri Southern State University offers students access to a single main library, the George A. Spiva Library, which serves as the central resource center. While the university does not have additional libraries, the George A. Spiva Library provides a range of physical and digital resources designed to support academic needs.

The collection includes approximately 239,872 physical books and 1,269 subscriptions, with 78,267 digital subscriptions enhancing access to modern research materials. Notably, the library boasts a very large digital book collection, featuring over 2.5 million eBooks, placing it among the top 5% of institutions nationally in this regard.

Students benefit from a variety of scholarly databases, with the library maintaining access to 40 of them, alongside shared collection access through partnerships. The George A. Spiva Library also supports a conducive study environment, offering study rooms and staffed facilities during established hours totaling about 71 weekly service hours. Although the library does not provide all-day access, both physical and digital facilities are available to accommodate different learning preferences and schedules.

Missouri Southern State University Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

4147

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

584

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

144 full time, 144 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Missouri Southern State University Library Services and Resources

Main library name

George A. Spiva Library

Number of libraries on campus

1

Reservable study rooms in library

Yes

24h access

No

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

Missouri Southern State University Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

Missouri Southern State University Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshly enrolled students' state of residence

US
International

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Missouri Southern State University Location & Map