Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Springfield, Missouri
91.1% Acceptance Rate
Missouri State University-Springfield — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.1%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1119Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$24,022Annual Cost
$49,827Grad Salary
21.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.1%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1119
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
990–1220
ACT Middle 50%
19–25
Avg Net Price
$17,502
Need-Based Aid
21.3% receive Pell
Missouri State University-Springfield (MO) is a public university with a focus on public affairs. Admissions focus on high school class rank and academic units. They seek students who are prepared to contribute to a large, active campus and who show an interest in service-oriented, leadership, and public engagement initiatives.
Missouri State University-Springfield Acceptance Rate
Admission at Missouri State University-Springfield is inclusive by design. 91.1% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Missouri State University-Springfield Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Missouri State University-Springfield follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of January 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 158 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Missouri State University-Springfield 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.
Priority
January 15
Regular
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (January 15, 2026) 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 State University-Springfield GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Missouri State University-Springfield is 3.73. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.43 and 3.73? 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 3.93–4.13.Missouri State University-Springfield GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
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
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate ~91% (IPEDS 2024-25: 10,487 of 11,584 admitted); no application fee; test-optional - students with 3.0+ HS GPA receive automatic admission without test scores; below 3.0 uses a GPA/class rank/ACT-SAT selection index.
- Missouri State holds the only legislatively mandated statewide Public Affairs mission among Missouri public universities (SB 340, 1995); pillars are ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement - embedded in graduation requirements across all majors.
- Priority scholarship deadline December 1 (must be admitted first); Annual Scholarship Application due March 1; FAFSA priority deadline February 1; enrollment deposit $150 due May 1. ACT superscores accepted and used for scholarship tier placement even at test-optional.
- West Plains campus (open admission) serves as an accessible entry point for students who don't meet Springfield admission criteria; cooperative transfer program allows a direct path to the Springfield campus after completing 24+ transferable credit hours with a 2.0+ GPA.
- 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 State University-Springfield
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Missouri State University-Springfield'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 State University-Springfield Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Missouri State University-Springfield. 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 State University-Springfield Without SAT or ACT?
Missouri State University-Springfield considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Missouri State University-Springfield Average SAT Score: 1119
Admitted students at Missouri State University-Springfield average a 1119 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1119 — Less Competitive
A 1119 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Missouri State University-Springfield allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 990? A retake is worth it at Missouri State University-Springfield. 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 | 550 | 500 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 490 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1119 | 990 | 1220 |
A score under 990 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1220+ 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 State University-Springfield with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Missouri State University-Springfield'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 State University-Springfield ACT Requirements
Missouri State University-Springfield's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 25 |
Can I get into Missouri State University-Springfield with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of Missouri State University-Springfield'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, and 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 State University-Springfield weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Missouri State University-Springfield
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Missouri State University-Springfield is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Leverage the Automatic Admission Guarantee If Your GPA Is 3.0 or Higher
Missouri State automatically admits any freshman applicant with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher who completes the required core high school curriculum - no ACT or SAT score is needed. For students below 3.0, a selection index combining GPA and class rank percentile determines the minimum test score required. This structure means a student with a strong GPA and weak test scores can simply not submit scores and receive guaranteed admission, while a student with a borderline GPA can compensate with a higher ACT superscore (Missouri State accepts superscores). Apply early - the priority scholarship deadline is December 1 and the school requires admission before competitive scholarship applications open.
Engage the Public Affairs Mission as a Distinguishing Academic Thread
Missouri State is the only public university in the state with a legislatively mandated statewide mission in Public Affairs, established by the Missouri General Assembly in 1995. This mission - built around ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement - shapes graduation requirements and co-curricular expectations across all majors. For students whose application narrative centers on civic engagement, leadership, or community-based work, MSU's Public Affairs mission is a genuinely distinctive hook rather than marketing language. It's worth naming specifically in any scholarship essays or honors college applications as evidence of fit, not just generic institutional enthusiasm.
Apply to the Honors College Early for Access to Competitive Scholarships
Missouri State's Honors College has a separate application process distinct from general undergraduate admission. Competitive merit scholarships tied to academic distinction - including the Dean's Scholarship and academic distinction awards - are available specifically for admitted students who apply before the December 1 priority deadline. Students must be admitted to Missouri State before applying for these competitive awards. The March 1 Annual Scholarship Application is a second, broader scholarship cycle, but the highest awards are concentrated in the December 1 round. Students with strong ACT scores should submit them even if their GPA qualifies them for automatic admission, because test scores directly affect scholarship tier placement.
Know the West Plains Open-Admission Pathway as a Guaranteed Transfer Route
Students who don't meet MSU Springfield's freshman admission requirements aren't simply denied - they're eligible to enroll at Missouri State's open-admission West Plains campus and transfer to the Springfield campus through a cooperative program once they meet transfer criteria (24+ transferable credit hours with a 2.0+ GPA). This is a genuinely useful fallback option for counselors advising students who fall below the selection index, and it preserves the Missouri State degree pathway and financial aid eligibility without requiring the student to attend a different institution entirely.
Expert Insight:
The most common planning failure at Missouri State for scholarship-seeking students is applying late. The priority scholarship deadline is December 1 of the applicant's senior year, and students must be admitted before they can apply for competitive awards - meaning the process is sequential, not simultaneous. Students who apply in January or February for spring financial aid processing are effectively competing for leftover scholarship funds. Because MSU awards scholarships on a rolling basis with no published pool size, early applicants consistently receive larger awards than equally qualified late applicants. Counselors should calendar the December 1 date as aggressively as any selective-admissions school deadline.
Missouri State University-Springfield Profile
Full Name
Missouri State University-Springfield
City
Springfield
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
65897
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Missouri State University-Springfield Degree Worth It?
Whether Missouri State University-Springfield 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 $56,300, and graduates see a 3.04% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Missouri State University-Springfield Cost?
Listed tuition runs $24,022/year at Missouri State University-Springfield. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $17,502.
At Missouri State University-Springfield, 21.3% receive a Pell Grant and 31.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Missouri State University-Springfield on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Missouri State University-Springfield Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Missouri State University-Springfield graduates report a median income of $49,827, about 23% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Missouri State University-Springfield. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Missouri State University-Springfield. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Missouri State University-Springfield. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Missouri State University-Springfield
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions
Missouri State University-Springfield graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,827/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Missouri State University-Springfield is relatively affordable, around $24,022/year.
21.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Missouri State University-Springfield skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Missouri State University-Springfield's acceptance rate is 91.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Missouri State University-Springfield students is 3.73, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.43 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Missouri State University-Springfield. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.33 or below makes admission tougher at Missouri State University-Springfield, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Missouri State University-Springfield weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1119, and within the 990–1220 range, keeps you competitive.
Missouri State University-Springfield's deadline is January 15 (Priority). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before January 15, 2026. That's Missouri State University-Springfield'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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