1915
Saint Joseph, MO

About Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University is a four-year, public institution of higher education located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri. The school was founded in 1915 as St. Joseph Junior College and the school became a four-year college in 1969. In 1977, Missouri Western became a full member of the State of Missouri system and in 2005, the school’s name was changed to Missouri Western State University after it received university status . Missouri Western State University is a “…student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning.”

Missouri Western State University offers certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. Missouri Western offers more than 250 online courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Several undergraduate and graduate degrees can be earned through the Western Institute online.

Accreditation & Licensing

Missouri Western State University is accredited by:

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Type:

4-year, Public

Highest Level Offered:

Master's degree

Religious Affiliation:

Not applicable

Enrollment:

Undergraduate: 4,067 ; Graduate: 258

Percent of Fully Online Students:

Undergraduate: 7% ; Graduate: 45%

Graduation Rate:

39%

Transfer Rate:

28%

Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:

$42,647

Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):

$19,968

Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:

59%

Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:

$10,093

Yellow Ribbon Program:

Yes

Credit for Military Training:

Yes

Online Programs offered by Missouri Western State University

Check Program Availability

All Programs

Art & Liberal Arts

Bachelor of General Studies

Criminal Justice, Safety & Law

Best Buy degree
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Best Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Education

Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Best Buy degree
Master of Applied Science in Assessment / K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education
Best Buy degree
Master of Applied Science in Assessment / Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Healthcare

Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Nursing

Best Buy degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Western State University

Is Missouri Western State University accredited?

Yes. Missouri Western State University is institutionally accredited by Higher Learning Commission.

How many online programs does Missouri Western State University offer?

Missouri Western State University offers 8 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.

What degree levels does Missouri Western State University offer?

Missouri Western State University offers programs from associate and bachelor's through master's levels.

How should students contact admissions at Missouri Western State University?

Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.

Is Missouri Western State University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?

Roughly speaking, Missouri Western State University falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.

How quickly can I enroll at Missouri Western State University?

Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.

What should transfer students ask Missouri Western State University first?

The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.

What GPA do most Missouri Western State University programs require?

GPA requirements typically range from 2.7 to 2.8, and 2.8 appears most often.

Is Missouri Western State University military friendly?

Missouri Western State University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.

How can students request information from Missouri Western State University through GetEducated?

Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.

What documents are most commonly required for Missouri Western State University applications?

Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Statement of Purpose/Intent, Official High School Transcript/GED Score, and Additional Materials May Be Required. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.

Does Missouri Western State University accept life experience credit?

Missouri Western State University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.

Are Missouri Western State University programs fully online or mixed?

Missouri Western State University programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.

What kinds of online programs does Missouri Western State University offer?

Missouri Western State University has online program options in areas such as Education, Criminal Justice, Safety & Law, Art & Liberal Arts, and Healthcare; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.

Do any Missouri Western State University programs have specialized accreditation?

Program-specific accreditors include Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Are any admission tests required for Missouri Western State University programs?

One recurring admissions-test item is ACT/SAT. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.

Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Missouri Western State University?

Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.

Do any Missouri Western State University programs have state authorization limitations?

State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.

How often can students start at Missouri Western State University?

Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Missouri Western State University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.

How should working adults compare Missouri Western State University programs?

Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.

Featured Ranking Reports

Missouri Western State University is featured in 5 of our ranking reports!

GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.

We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.

Geographic and Educational Overview

Google Map

Missouri Western State University is located in Missouri

Missouri at a Glance:

State flag of MO
Jefferson City
6,154,913
69,707 sq mi
13
39
12
$9,800.00

Top Majors in Missouri:

Top Incentives in Missouri:

Top Career Pathways in Missouri:

Healthcare Management
  • Entry Level: Clinic Manager ($58,000)
  • Mid Level: Healthcare Administrator ($88,000)
  • Senior Level: Hospital Director ($135,000+)
  • Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
  • Certifications: ACHE, RHIA
* Data is approximate and may be AI-enhanced