
Springfield, MOpublicmissouristate.edu
Admit rate has ranged 87%–94% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Missouri State University-Springfield is a public university with a 90%+ acceptance rate and a practical, career-focused academic portfolio spanning 95+ majors. Known for its 'Bear' spirit and robust financial aid programs like the MoState Access Award (covering full tuition for eligible Missouri students), it delivers solid outcomes—90% of graduates land jobs or continue education within six months—at a relatively affordable price.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Missouri State University-Springfield is highly accessible, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 90-92% ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/missouri-state-university/admissions), [PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Missouri-State-University-sat-scores-GPA)). The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 19-25 on the ACT or 1003–1210 on the SAT ([AcceptanceRate.com](https://www.acceptancerate.com/schools/missouri-state-university-springfield)), though test scores are not required for admission ([Sallie](https://www.sallie.com/colleges/search/missouri-state-university-springfield)).
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Missouri State offers 95+ undergraduate majors with 175+ specialization options, plus 120 minors and 110+ certificates ([University Website](https://www.missouristate.edu/)). Programs range from accounting and nursing to wildlife conservation and cybersecurity ([Majors Page](https://www.missouristate.edu/majors/)). The Princeton Review notes its 'not too big, not too small' environment, balancing academic rigor with accessibility ([Princeton Review](https://www.princetonreview.com/college/missouri-state-university-1022640)).
Life at Missouri State revolves around its 'Bear' spirit, with traditions like #BearWearFriday ([Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/missouristate/?hl=en)) and a close-knit community emphasizing ethical leadership and engagement ([About Page](https://www.missouristate.edu/About/default.htm)).
90% of graduates achieve employment or further education within six months ([Outcomes Page](https://www.missouristate.edu/Outcomes/default.htm)), though early-career earnings average $34,000—$5,000 below national benchmarks ([CollegeFactual](https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/missouri-state-university-springfield/outcomes/)).
Missouri State distributes $150+ million annually in financial aid ([Costs Page](https://www.missouristate.edu/Costs/default.htm)), including the MoState Access Award, which covers full tuition and fees for eligible Missouri students after grants/scholarships ([Financial Aid Office](https://www.missouristate.edu/FinancialAid/default.htm)).
Missouri State’s balance of accessibility and outcomes makes it a practical choice for students seeking affordable, career-ready degrees. Its MoState Access Award is a game-changer for in-state affordability, while its 90% post-grad success rate underscores its focus on employability. The 'Bear' community spirit and Springfield’s livability add to its appeal—though it’s not a fit for those chasing elite academic prestige or urban intensity.