Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Missouri Southern State University at a Glance
Missouri Southern State University is a public university in Joplin, Missouri. It was established in 1937 as Joplin Junior College. The university enrolled 4,087 students in Fall 2023.
1937
89 years old
4,087
373 acres
Identity
Is Missouri Southern State University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Missouri Southern State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,620 — 21% below average — while paying $12,007/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 40% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Missouri Southern State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Missouri Southern State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #78 of 140 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #78 | Missouri Southern State University | 35 | $12,007 | $42,620 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Missouri Southern State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MO.
Best Programs at Missouri Southern State University
The highest-earning program at Missouri Southern State University is Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at $57,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduate from Missouri Southern State University earns $57,100, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $26,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $26,125 in median debt vs. $18,900 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,007/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $57,100 | $57,100 | $26,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $52,800 | $52,800 | $23,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $44,300 | $44,300 | $20,898 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $43,500 | $43,500 | $18,515 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $37,300 | $37,300 | $19,437 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,700 | $31,700 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,900 | $30,900 | $18,993 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,000 | $29,000 | $20,871 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,600 | $28,600 | $21,864 |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,500 | $26,500 | $18,900 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Joplin, MO
- Student Body
- 3,019 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,007
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,620
- Median Student Debt
- $19,174