At $11,653/yr net price, Missouri Southern State University graduates earn $42,620/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,620/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,653 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,612 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,620/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,620/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,174 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,021/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,467/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,646/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,035/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,196/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $54,515 | $22,750 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $51,482 | $22,143 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $47,930 | |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $17,963 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,123 | $13,375 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor | $39,729 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $38,946 | $18,116 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $37,363 | $19,990 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $34,298 | $18,500 |
The Risk Factor
38.3% of students at Missouri Southern State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Missouri Southern State University gives you a low-cost entry point with modest payoff. At under $12,000 a year in net price and median debt under $20,000, you won't graduate buried. But the median earnings ten years out sit close to what many workers make without a degree, so the return depends heavily on what you study.
Your major decides everything here. Industrial Production Technologies and Nursing both clear $54,000, and Nursing carries the higher debt load at $22,750, which is manageable against those earnings. Computer and Information Sciences lands in the high $40,000s. Public Health, at under $40,000, pays the least of the listed programs and leaves you closest to the school's median. The gap between the top program and Public Health is nearly $18,000 a year, so the wrong choice costs you real money over a career.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 38 percent of students graduate, and about 30 percent don't return after their first year. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry debt with none of the earnings upside. That failure rate is the single largest financial threat this school poses.
Net price stays affordable across income levels. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $9,000 a year. above $110,000, closer to $15,000. Even the top tier stays reasonable for a four-year public school.
This is a good fit if you're headed into nursing, industrial production, or computing and you're confident you'll finish. If you're undecided or at risk of dropping out, the low sticker price won't protect you from the poor completion odds. Pick a high-earning program, commit to graduating, and MSSU pays off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri Southern State University worth the cost?
Missouri Southern State University offers decent value with a low net price of $11,653 and relatively modest debt levels at $19,174. However, the 38% graduation rate and average earnings of $42,620 after 10 years suggest mixed returns on investment.
What are the best paying programs at Missouri Southern State University?
Industrial Production Technologies leads at $57,318 average earnings, followed by nursing programs at $54,515. These technical and healthcare programs offer the strongest financial returns compared to the school's overall graduate earnings of $42,620.
How much debt do Missouri Southern State University graduates have?
The median debt is $19,174, which is manageable compared to many schools. With the low net price of $11,653 per year, students can often graduate with reasonable debt loads if they finish their programs.
What is the graduation rate at Missouri Southern State University?
Only 38% of students graduate, which is well below the national average. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's value proposition and increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.