Missouri Western State University (MWSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Missouri Western State University
Set on rolling prairie in St. Joseph, Missouri Western has a reputation for hands-on learning that sticks. Students dive into business, health, science, technology, arts and education with faculty who keep it practical and personal. Modern labs and studios, performance spaces, a well-used library, and strong tutoring, advising and counseling services make it easy to get support when you need it.
Campus life leans friendly and active. Clubs, service projects, intramurals and spirited Griffon game days pull people together, and the nearby riverfront, parks and historic downtown add coffee, music and character. Career prep shows up in internships with regional employers, faculty-led projects and a career center that knows the local landscape, including Kansas City connections. The campus has hosted Kansas City Chiefs training camp, and Griffon pride pops at homecoming. Notable alum: NFL safety Jonathan Owens.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) offers 50 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 642 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (5 programs, 131 graduates), Health (7 programs, 120 graduates), Education (9 programs, 59 graduates), Kinesiology (3 programs, 57 graduates) and Biological Sciences (2 programs, 43 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (5 programs, 131 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Marketing Management | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
Health (7 programs, 120 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 82 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Nursing Administration | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.3802 |
| Health Information Administration | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0706 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0908 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1005 |
| Public Health | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2201 |
Education (9 programs, 59 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Early Childhood Education | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Music Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development in Specific Subject Areas | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1399 |
| Special Education Teaching | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1001 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1401 |
| Educational Evaluation and Research | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.0601 |
| Multiple Level Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.1206 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
Kinesiology (3 programs, 57 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 13 |
|
Master's
|
31.0504 |
| Parks and Recreation Management | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0301 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 43 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Security & Safety (2 programs, 33 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 25 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
43.0104 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 8 |
|
Master's
|
43.0406 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 31 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
Psychology (1 programs, 30 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Public Services (1 programs, 30 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
Law (2 programs, 23 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Assistant and Paralegal | 15 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
22.0302 |
| Pre-Law Studies | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
22.0001 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Missouri Western State University (MWSU)
How much does it cost to attend Missouri Western State University (MWSU)?
The annual tuition at Missouri Western State University (MWSU) is $8,970 for in-state students and $17,490 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $23,815 for in-state students and $32,335 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,975 and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Missouri Western State University offer?
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) offers 50 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (9 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (3 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Missouri Western State University?
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) provides financial aid to 15% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,500 and average loans of $6,086.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,780
- State/Local grants: $2,819
- Institutional grants: $5,089
- Federal loans: $5,257
The university supports 536 students with grants and 290 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Missouri Western State University graduates?
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) graduates earn a median salary of $37,499 after 6 years and $42,647 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $26,153 (25th percentile) to $62,659 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $65,500 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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