About Missouri University of Science and Technology
Engineering runs deep in Missouri University of Science and Technology's DNA. The 5,467 students tackle some of the nation's toughest technical programs in Rolla, a small Missouri town where mining and petroleum engineering reign supreme. Jack Kilby, who co-invented the integrated circuit here, exemplifies the school's knack for producing innovators who reshape entire industries. The remote setting means fewer distractions from demanding coursework that has launched careers in nuclear engineering and beyond.
Students pay an average net price of $13,773 after financial aid. Graduates earn a median of $82,957 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $23,250 manageable with monthly payments around $246. The investment pays off quickly when 96.3% of graduates find employment. Missouri S&T delivers strong returns for students willing to master complex technical fields.
The student body skews heavily male at 77%, reflecting engineering's gender imbalance. With 86% of students returning for sophomore year, most adapt to the rigorous academic culture despite the challenging curriculum. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally. As Division II Miners, athletes balance sports with demanding engineering coursework across 13 varsity programs.
Students pay an average net price of $13,773 after financial aid. Graduates earn a median of $82,957 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $23,250 manageable with monthly payments around $246. The investment pays off quickly when 96.3% of graduates find employment. Missouri S&T delivers strong returns for students willing to master complex technical fields.
The student body skews heavily male at 77%, reflecting engineering's gender imbalance. With 86% of students returning for sophomore year, most adapt to the rigorous academic culture despite the challenging curriculum. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally. As Division II Miners, athletes balance sports with demanding engineering coursework across 13 varsity programs.
Academics & Faculty
Missouri S&T built its reputation as one of the nation's top engineering schools, particularly excelling in mining, petroleum, and nuclear engineering programs that attract students nationwide. The university's technological focus means most coursework emphasizes hands-on problem-solving and industry applications. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, professors maintain closer relationships with students than at large research universities. The 63% six-year graduation rate reflects the rigorous engineering curriculum that challenges even well-prepared students. Alumni like Jack Kilby, co-inventor of the integrated circuit, demonstrate the school's legacy of producing innovators. Students graduate with strong technical skills that lead to a 96% employment rate and median earnings of $83,000 within ten years.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 80.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 62.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 63.6%
- Retention Rate
- 86.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $82,957
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $83,915 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 |
| Metallurgical Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,200 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,358 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,112 |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,214 |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering. | Master | $71,575 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $71,351 |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering. | Certificate | $70,886 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Certificate | $70,776 |
Campus Life
Missouri S&T sits in the Ozark foothills, two hours southwest of St. Louis in a town of 20,000 people. With 5,467 students and housing for just 2,209, about 40% of undergraduates live on campus while most upperclassmen rent houses near campus. The 284-acre campus features red brick buildings and steep hills that require serious leg muscles to navigate between classes.
Rolla winters demand heavy coats with temperatures often dropping below freezing, while humid summers reach the 90s. The 77% male student body reflects the school's engineering focus, creating a tight-knit community where study groups are common and competition is friendly. Students blow off steam at Pub Night downtown or explore nearby state parks and floating rivers on weekends. The Miners compete in Division II athletics with 445 student-athletes across 13 sports. St. Patrick's Day brings the famous green celebration where students paint the town literally green, honoring the patron saint of engineers in a tradition dating back decades.
Rolla winters demand heavy coats with temperatures often dropping below freezing, while humid summers reach the 90s. The 77% male student body reflects the school's engineering focus, creating a tight-knit community where study groups are common and competition is friendly. Students blow off steam at Pub Night downtown or explore nearby state parks and floating rivers on weekends. The Miners compete in Division II athletics with 445 student-athletes across 13 sports. St. Patrick's Day brings the famous green celebration where students paint the town literally green, honoring the patron saint of engineers in a tradition dating back decades.
- Setting
- Town-Remote
- Housing Capacity
- 2,209 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1870
Campus Safety (2023)
45 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Stalking | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Aggravated Assault | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dating Violence | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 21°–40°F
- July Avg
- 68°–88°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 48.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 18.9"
Student Demographics
Missouri S&T draws students who are serious about technical careers and don't mind studying in a small Missouri town. Men outnumber women by more than three to one, reflecting the school's heavy focus on engineering disciplines. Most students come from within Missouri, showing the university's strong regional reputation for producing engineers. The student body skews heavily white, though the school attracts a solid mix of students from different economic backgrounds. These are future engineers who chose substance over prestige, knowing Missouri S&T's programs will launch lucrative careers.
- Men
- 77.2%
- Women
- 22.8%
- White
- 74.8%
- Black
- 3.2%
- Hispanic
- 5.6%
- Asian
- 4.4%
- In-State Students
- 80.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 20.8%
Location
Missouri University of Science and Technology sits in Rolla, a small college town of about 20,000 people in south-central Missouri. The campus lies roughly 100 miles southwest of St. Louis and 100 miles southeast of Kansas City. Rolla exists primarily because of the university, which has shaped the town's character since 1870. The surrounding Ozark foothills provide a rural backdrop with rolling hills and forests. About 80% of students come from within Missouri, reflecting the school's strong in-state appeal. The remote setting means students focus intensely on academics, particularly in the engineering programs that dominate campus life. Students considering colleges in Missouri may also compare Missouri S&T with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Rolla, Missouri 65409
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $82,957
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $89,551
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $57,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 80.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $246/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,250
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Missouri University of Science and Technology?
Missouri S&T accepts 81% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1272. The school attracts students serious about STEM fields, particularly engineering, where the rigorous coursework explains the 63% six-year graduation rate.
How much does Missouri University of Science and Technology cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $13,773, making this engineering powerhouse surprisingly affordable. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,530 on average, while the median debt of $23,250 is manageable given graduates earn $83,000 ten years out.
What academic programs is Missouri University of Science and Technology known for?
Missouri S&T built its reputation on mining, petroleum, and nuclear engineering programs that trace back to its 1870 founding. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, the school maintains its focus on hands-on technical education in small-town Rolla.
What career outcomes do Missouri University of Science and Technology graduates achieve?
Graduates enjoy a 96% employment rate with median earnings of $83,000 after ten years. The school's engineering focus pays off financially, as evidenced by the strong 81% loan repayment rate among former students.
Where is Missouri University of Science and Technology located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Rolla, a remote Missouri town where 2,209 students can live on campus among the total enrollment of 5,467. The student body is 77% male, reflecting the engineering-heavy curriculum that attracts the Miners athletic teams.
Is Missouri University of Science and Technology diverse in terms of student demographics?
The student body is 75% white with women comprising just 23% of enrollment, typical for a technical university. About 81% of students come from Missouri, creating a close-knit community where most students share similar academic interests in engineering and technology.
Similar Schools
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, Missouri
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia
Rutgers University-Camden
Camden, New Jersey
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri