Missouri State University-Springfield
Missouri State University-Springfield — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Missouri State University-Springfield at a Glance
Missouri State University, formerly Southwest Missouri State University, is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, it is the state's second-largest university by enrollment, with an enrollment of 23,418 in the fall semester of 2023. The school also offers associate degree programs at two-year campus in West Plains, Missouri and a bachelor's degree in business program at Liaoning Normal University in China. The university…
1905
121 years old
$193M
$193 million 2024
23,418
1,124
225 acres
Identity
Is Missouri State University-Springfield Worth It?
Missouri State University-Springfield offers moderate value at $17,613/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,827, which is 7% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 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 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Missouri State University-Springfield compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #96 of 159 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #96 | Missouri State University-Springfield | 41 | $17,613 | $49,827 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Missouri State University-Springfield's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Missouri State University-Springfield
The highest-earning program at Missouri State University-Springfield is Computer Science at $58,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Missouri State University-Springfield earns $58,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,700. 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: Computer Science graduates carry $24,250 in median debt vs. $22,248 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,613/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $58,600 | $58,600 | $24,250 |
| Construction Management | $58,300 | $58,300 | $24,750 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $53,400 | $53,400 | $25,374 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $52,900 | $52,900 | $23,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $48,000 | $48,000 | $29,484 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,600 | $42,600 | $25,000 |
| Mathematics | $41,600 | $41,600 | $21,614 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,900 | $40,900 | $21,323 |
| Marketing | $38,900 | $38,900 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,700 | $38,700 | $22,188 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $36,200 | $36,200 | $24,459 |
| Economics | $36,100 | $36,100 | $20,643 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,000 | $35,000 | $24,650 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $34,300 | $34,300 | $23,500 |
| Housing and Human Environments | $33,600 | $33,600 | $26,912 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $32,800 | $32,800 | $17,825 |
| Criminology | $31,400 | $31,400 | $21,859 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,200 | $31,200 | $26,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $31,000 | $31,000 | $24,542 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,187 |
| Social Work | $30,100 | $30,100 | $21,250 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,100 | $29,100 | $27,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $28,900 | $28,900 | $24,663 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,800 | $28,800 | $24,317 |
| Journalism | $28,400 | $28,400 | $25,103 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,700 | $27,700 | $22,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,400 | $26,400 | $21,444 |
| Animal Sciences | $26,100 | $26,100 | $19,893 |
| Psychology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $24,643 |
| Anthropology | $26,100 | $26,100 | $28,750 |
| Plant Sciences | $25,700 | $25,700 | $18,125 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $25,600 | $25,600 | $20,250 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $25,400 | $25,400 | $24,368 |
| Political Science and Government | $25,300 | $25,300 | $25,231 |
| Biology, General | $24,800 | $24,800 | $22,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $27,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,000 | $21,000 | $23,428 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $20,000 | $20,000 | $28,501 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,700 | $18,700 | $22,248 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Springfield, MO
- Student Body
- 13,313 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,613
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,827
- Median Student Debt
- $21,992