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Northwest Missouri State University

#1158 in US ranking Maryville, MO
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$25,869
Tuition & fees
$13,795
Avg. aid
$9,739
Receiving aid
98%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
86%
SAT range
976–1193
ACT range
19–24

Outcomes

Graduation rate
54%
Median salary
$42,925
1 yr after graduation

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

Northwest's Bearcats compete in NCAA Division II varsity athletics and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Varsity competition includes sports such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, cross-country and track and field.

Varsity teams are only one way to participate in sport. Recreational facilities and intramural activities can give students opportunities that do not require joining an NCAA roster. Offerings and schedules may change, and a sport appearing in a general campus-activity list is not necessarily a varsity sport. Prospective athletes should consult the relevant team's current recruiting information rather than assume a roster opening or athletic award is available.

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

Student involvement at Northwest extends beyond classes and varsity teams. Students can look for recognized organizations connected to academic interests, student leadership, service, culture, performing arts and recreation.

Representative forms of involvement include student government, academic and professional clubs, fraternities and sororities, and groups involved in music, theater or campus media. Northwest also has a student-run newspaper and radio and television opportunities. A club's recognition, membership requirements and activity level can change, so the current student-organization directory is the best starting point for joining or proposing a group.

Who studies at Northwest Missouri State University?

Northwest enrolled about 9,152 students in the reported institutional count. Its student body includes traditional-age undergraduates as well as older students, transfer students and graduate students, so the campus population is broader than a single incoming freshman class.

The reported incoming first-time, degree-seeking group numbered 990, and 298 degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates transferred in. Among students in the geographic-origin reporting group, 62% were Missouri residents, 35% came from other U.S. states and 3% came from other countries. Those figures describe enrollment origins, not the range of identities or experiences within each group.

Student circumstances vary by program and study format. For example, a student in an online graduate course may have a very different day-to-day experience from a first-year undergraduate living in Maryville. Applicants assessing peer community should therefore look at their intended program and mode of enrollment, not only university-wide totals.

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

Northwest combines a residential campus experience in Maryville with a large population that lives elsewhere. The reported housing figures indicate that 28% of students live on campus and 72% commute, a useful reminder that campus events and services must also fit students who travel to class.

Everyday campus life can include activities in the student union, performances, fitness and recreation, and academic events. The university's theater groups, marching band, choirs and student media provide ways to participate or attend without joining a varsity team. Orientation and first-year programming can help new students learn how advising, course registration and campus support work.

Students comparing Northwest with a larger-city university should consider the trade-off: Maryville offers a campus-centered setting, while internships, shopping and some off-campus activities may require more travel. Adult and online students should check which gatherings and support services are available remotely or outside standard daytime hours.

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

B.D. Owens Library is Northwest's main campus library and a central source of study space, research materials and academic assistance. Students can use library collections and electronic resources for coursework rather than relying only on freely available web results.

Useful services to check for a specific assignment include librarian research help, access to scholarly databases and journals, and interlibrary loan for material the library does not hold. Remote access to licensed resources is particularly important for online students. Hours, room-booking rules and technology-lending arrangements can vary by term, so students planning late-night or specialized work should check the library's current service information.

Northwest Missouri State University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

9152

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

951

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

314 full time, 97 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Northwest Missouri State University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 5,241
Graduate: 3,911

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 4,848
Part-time: 4,304

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 602
Men: 349

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 238
Black or African American: 207
White: 3,474
American Indian or Alaska Native: 26
Asian: 22
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 5
Two or more races: 186
Unknown: 85

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Northwest Missouri State University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Badminton

–Both–

Baseball

MenMen–

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Cheerleading

Both–Both

Cross-country running

BothBoth–

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

WomenWomen–

Racquetball

–Both–

Riflery

–Both–

Sand volleyball

–Both–

Soccer

WomenWomen–

Softball

WomenWomen–

Table tennis

–Both–

Tennis

BothBothBoth

Track and field

BothBothBoth

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

WomenWomenWomen

Weight lifting

–Both–

Wrestling

–Men–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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