Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Joplin, Missouri
97.4% Acceptance Rate
Missouri Southern State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.4%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$19,194Annual Cost
$42,620Grad Salary
35%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.4%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1090
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1170
ACT Middle 50%
18–24
Avg Net Price
$11,653
Need-Based Aid
35% receive Pell
Missouri Southern State University is a public, regional institution that balances professional degree programs with a solid liberal arts foundation. Admissions prioritize academic performance and readiness for a supportive campus environment. The university seeks students who are motivated by a sense of purpose and who are eager to participate in its rich tradition of leadership, arts, and community engagement.
When applying, prospective students should highlight their consistency in academic work and their involvement in school or community organizations that require collaboration and leadership. Demonstrating a clear interest in the university's specific professional programs such as nursing, education, or management can help an applicant stand out, as the university favors students who have a focused vision for their future. A strong application shows that the student is proactive, focused, and ready to take full advantage of the resources available at a regionally-focused public institution.
Missouri Southern State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Missouri Southern State University is inclusive by design: 97.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Missouri Southern State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Missouri Southern State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Missouri Southern reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Competitive scholarship priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Missouri Southern GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Missouri Southern is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.70–3.90.Missouri Southern GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Automatic admission is granted by meeting any ONE of: HS GPA 2.25+, ACT 21+, or top 50% class rank - the ACT itself is not required for admission, only requested later for placement.
- MOSO Merit Scholarship auto-awards $8,000?$20,000 total over eight semesters based on a combined ACT/GPA chart, with no separate scholarship application.
- The Evans Scholarship ($26,000 over four years, MSSU's top institutional award) requires separate admission to the Honors Program - it is not automatic.
- In-state tuition is extended to residents of 13 named states; a separate Midwest Student Exchange Award applies to six other states, with the exact discount percentage disputed across sources.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Missouri Southern
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Missouri Southern State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Missouri Southern State University (Missouri Southern) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Missouri Southern — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Missouri Southern Without SAT or ACT?
Missouri Southern considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Missouri Southern State University Average SAT Score: 1090
Admitted students at Missouri Southern State University average a 1090 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
A 1090 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Missouri Southern State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1000? A retake is worth it at Missouri Southern — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 535 | 500 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 550 | 500 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 1000 | 1170 |
A score under 1000 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1170+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Missouri Southern State University (Missouri Southern) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Missouri Southern's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Missouri Southern State University (Missouri Southern) ACT Requirements
Missouri Southern's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT English | 20 | 17 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 24 |
Can I get into Missouri Southern State University with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of Missouri Southern's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Missouri Southern weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Missouri Southern
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Missouri Southern provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Find your "any ONE of three" door
Automatic admission requires meeting only ONE of: high school GPA 2.25+, ACT composite 21+, or top 50% class rank - and the ACT itself isn't required for admission at all (only requested later for course placement). A student with a weak GPA but solid class rank should make sure their counselor's transcript explicitly reports rank, since that fallback pathway is real but easy to miss if the transcript omits it.
Chase the ACT/GPA combo chart, not a scholarship essay
The MOSO Merit Scholarship is auto-awarded with no separate application, in three tiers based on a combined ACT+GPA chart: roughly $8,000, $14,000, or $20,000 total over eight semesters. Because tiers are cliff-edged rather than gradual, a student close to a threshold should prioritize one more ACT sitting or a GPA push before submitting - a few points can mean roughly a $6,000 swing in total award, more return than any essay-based scholarship offers.
Apply to Honors separately if you want the top award
The Evans Scholarship - MSSU's single most valuable institutional award at $6,500/year ($26,000 over four years) - is only available to students admitted into the Honors Program, which is a distinct, separate application from general admission. It is not triggered automatically by a high MOSO Merit tier, so students aiming for maximum aid need to apply to Honors as an explicit extra step right after general admission.
Confirm your exact tuition category before enrolling
MSSU extends in-state tuition rates to residents of 13 named states (Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Texas) and separately offers an automatic Midwest Student Exchange discount on out-of-state tuition for residents of Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These are two different mechanisms with different math - confirm in writing with Financial Aid which one applies before budgeting, since third-party scholarship sites frequently conflate or misreport the two.
Expert Insight:
Reported figures for the Midwest Student Exchange discount conflict across sources - some state it covers 25% of out-of-state tuition, others state 50%. Families relying on aggregator scholarship sites (rather than MSSU's own financial aid office) risk budgeting off the wrong number; verify the current percentage directly with finaidSAP@mssu.edu before finalizing enrollment decisions.
Missouri Southern Profile
Full Name
Missouri Southern State University (Missouri Southern)
City
Joplin
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
64801-1595
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Missouri Southern Degree Worth It?
Whether Missouri Southern is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $46,200, and graduates see a 3.49% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Missouri Southern Cost?
Listed tuition runs $19,194/year at Missouri Southern; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $11,653.
At Missouri Southern, 35% receive a Pell Grant and 34.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Missouri Southern on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Missouri Southern Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Missouri Southern graduates report a median income of $42,620, about 5% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Missouri Southern State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Missouri Southern State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Missouri Southern State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Missouri Southern
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Southern Admissions
Missouri Southern State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $42,620/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Missouri Southern State University is relatively affordable, around $19,194/year.
35.0% of Missouri Southern State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Missouri Southern State University's acceptance rate is 97.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Missouri Southern State University students is 3.5, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.2 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Missouri Southern State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.1 or below makes admission tougher at Missouri Southern State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Missouri Southern State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1090, and within the 1000–1170 range, keeps you competitive.
Missouri Southern State University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Competitive scholarship priority: 2026/02/01 — that's Missouri Southern State University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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