Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwest Missouri State University at a Glance
Northwest Missouri State University is a public university in Maryville, Missouri, United States. It has an enrollment of 9,152 students. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, its campus is based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and is the official Missouri State Arboretum. The school is governed by a state-appointed Board of Regents and headed by President Lance Tatum.
1905
121 years old
$45M
$45.2 million (2025)
9,664
255
370 acres
Identity
Is Northwest Missouri State University Worth It?
Northwest Missouri State University offers moderate value at $16,244/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,885, which is 11% 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 56% 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.
How Northwest Missouri State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #85 of 180 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #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 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #85 | Northwest Missouri State University | 41 | $16,244 | $47,885 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northwest Missouri State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MO.
Best Programs at Northwest Missouri State University
The highest-earning program at Northwest Missouri State University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $61,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at $23,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Northwest Missouri State University earns $61,200, while a Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduate earns $23,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,244/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 and Information Sciences, General | $61,200 | $61,200 | $20,069 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,500 | $44,500 | $25,000 |
| Plant Sciences | $42,600 | $42,600 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,500 | $41,500 | $24,812 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $40,500 | $40,500 | $18,500 |
| Marketing | $39,800 | $39,800 | $23,485 |
| Agriculture, General | $39,400 | $39,400 | $15,250 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $38,700 | $38,700 | $28,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $35,600 | $35,600 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $34,000 | $34,000 | $26,883 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,400 | $32,400 | $24,477 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,400 | $31,400 | $23,156 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,200 | $31,200 | $26,392 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,800 | $30,800 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $26,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $27,900 | $27,900 | $23,759 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $26,700 | $26,700 | $26,375 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $23,100 | $23,100 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Maryville, MO
- Student Body
- 4,378 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,244
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,885
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500