Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southeast Missouri State University at a Glance
Southeast Missouri State University is a public university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In addition to the main campus, the university has four regional campuses offering full degree programs and a secondary campus housing the Holland College of Arts and Media. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
1873
153 years old
$114M
$114 million (2021)
9,677
8,454 undergrad · 1,473 grad
407
328 acres
Identity
Is Southeast Missouri State University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Southeast Missouri State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,030 — 18% below average — while paying $15,882/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southeast Missouri State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southeast Missouri State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #54 of 123 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 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #54 | Southeast Missouri State University | 39 | $15,882 | $44,030 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Southeast 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 Southeast Missouri State University
The highest-earning program at Southeast Missouri State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $52,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Visual and Performing Arts, General at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Southeast Missouri State University earns $52,600, while a Visual and Performing Arts, General 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,000 in median debt vs. $23,799 for Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,882/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $52,600 | $52,600 | $18,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $48,800 | $48,800 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $20,035 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,600 | $39,600 | $20,062 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $39,100 | $39,100 | $20,000 |
| Marketing | $36,300 | $36,300 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,800 | $31,800 | $26,992 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $31,100 | $31,100 | $25,871 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,700 | $30,700 | $25,844 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $29,800 | $29,800 | $27,378 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,300 | $29,300 | $21,676 |
| Social Work | $29,000 | $29,000 | $24,688 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,700 | $28,700 | $22,065 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,400 | $28,400 | $21,825 |
| Plant Sciences | $27,400 | $27,400 | $20,062 |
| Psychology, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $23,710 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,100 | $27,100 | $23,500 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $25,300 | $25,300 | $26,005 |
| Biology, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $21,191 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,000 | $25,000 | $26,372 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $18,700 | $18,700 | $23,799 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Cape Girardeau, MO
- Student Body
- 6,373 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,882
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,030
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500