Missouri State University-West Plains: $5,544 Tuition

$5,544Tuition

860Students

35%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,922Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Missouri State University-West Plains

Missouri State University-West Plains serves 860 students in the rural Ozarks region. This two-year campus specializes in associate degree programs and workforce training that prepares students for immediate employment in southern Missouri's economy. The college operates in a town-remote setting where students get personalized attention with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Students pay an average net price of $9,384, which represents excellent value for career preparation. Graduates earn a median of $36,922 ten years after enrollment, meaning they typically earn nearly four times their annual education costs. The median debt load is just $10,000, with monthly loan payments averaging only $106. This combination makes the investment highly manageable for working-class families. The student body reflects the regional demographics, with 93.66% coming from Missouri and women comprising 69.53% of enrollment. The Grizzlies compete in five NJCAA sports with 72 total athletes supported by $430,438 in athletic scholarships. With an employment rate of 91.5%, the college succeeds at its primary mission of workforce development.

Academics & Faculty

This regional campus of Missouri State University focuses on associate degree programs and workforce training tailored to southern Missouri's rural economy. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio provides close mentoring in a small-town setting where professors know students by name. Programs emphasize practical skills for immediate employment or transfer to four-year universities. The 35% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face balancing education with jobs and family responsibilities. With 860 students, classes stay small and hands-on learning dominates. Career-focused programs in healthcare, business, and technical fields prepare graduates for regional job markets. The school serves as an affordable starting point for students seeking credentials without big-city costs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 35.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,922

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$42,235
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$22,810

View all 37 programs →

Campus Life

West Plains sits in the Missouri Ozarks, about 100 miles from Springfield and 200 miles from St. Louis. You'll need both winter coats for January lows in the 20s and shorts for July highs reaching the 90s. Only 120 students can live on campus among the 860 enrolled, meaning most commute from the surrounding rural area where 93.66% of students call home.

The small campus operates on a close-knit community model with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring professors know your name. Women make up 69.53% of the student body, creating a active that shapes campus culture. The Grizzlies field five NJCAA sports teams with 72 total athletes competing for $430,438 in athletic scholarships. Weekends often revolve around outdoor activities in the Ozark Mountains, local gatherings, or trips to Springfield for bigger city amenities. As a two-year institution focused on workforce training, students typically balance academics with part-time jobs or internships that prepare them for immediate employment after graduation.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 120 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 21°–44°F
July Avg: 65°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.2"
Annual Snowfall: -767.6"

Student Demographics

Missouri State-West Plains draws students from across rural southern Missouri, with nearly 94% coming from in-state. The student body is overwhelmingly female at 70%, reflecting the school's strength in nursing and health sciences programs that traditionally attract more women. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the campus serves working-class families in the region. The demographics mirror the broader Ozarks population, with students typically being first-generation college attendees seeking practical career training close to home.

Men: 30.5%
Women: 69.5%
White: 87.0%
Black: 3.3%
Hispanic: 3.1%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 93.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 26.5%

Location

West Plains sits in the rural Ozark foothills of southern Missouri, about 120 miles from Springfield. The town has roughly 12,000 residents and serves as a regional center for farming and forestry communities. With 93.66% of students coming from Missouri, the campus draws heavily from the surrounding rural counties where students often balance college with family obligations. The remote setting means limited entertainment options beyond campus activities, but students find tight-knit community connections. Housing capacity serves just 120 students, so most commute from nearby towns or live off-campus. Students considering colleges in Missouri may also compare Missouri State University-West Plains with similar schools in the region.

Address: West Plains, Missouri 65775-2715

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,922
Median Earnings (5 years): $35,949
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 42.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $106/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Missouri State University-West Plains?

This two-year campus maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges. With 860 students enrolled and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, the school focuses on providing accessible higher education to rural southern Missouri communities.

How much does Missouri State University-West Plains cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $9,384 annually, with in-state tuition at $5,544. Nearly 27% of students receive Pell Grants, and those receiving institutional aid get an average grant of $5,634 to help cover costs.

What academic programs does Missouri State University-West Plains offer?

The school specializes in two-year associate degree programs and workforce training designed for rural employment needs. Students benefit from small class sizes with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, though the 35% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face.

What do graduates of Missouri State University-West Plains typically earn?

Alumni earn a median salary of $36,922 ten years after starting college, with strong employment rates of 91.5%. Graduates carry relatively low debt loads with a median of $10,000 and monthly loan payments of just $106.

Where is Missouri State University-West Plains located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in the remote town of West Plains with housing for only 120 students out of 860 total enrollment. Nearly 94% of students come from Missouri, and the school fields five NJCAA sports teams with 72 total athletes competing as the Grizzlies.

Is Missouri State University-West Plains a good choice for women students?

Women make up nearly 70% of the student body, higher than typical college demographics. The school's focus on healthcare, education, and other fields popular with women students contributes to this gender distribution in rural Missouri.

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Affordable Programs in Missouri

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About This Data

Statistics on this page come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS (2023–24 data year), with climate normals from NOAA and campus safety figures from Clery Act reports. CampusGuide does not estimate or adjust reported figures. Read our full methodology.