Missouri State University-West Plains

School Highlights

Missouri State University-West Plains serves 1,920 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 15% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 38%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 1,920 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,020
  • Out-state tuition: $7,440
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 15%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 176 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Missouri State University-West Plains
(MO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Less than 2 yrs
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
176 staff
139 staff
This chart display total faculty of Missouri State University-West Plains and community college average number of faculty in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Missouri State University-West Plains has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Missouri State University-West Plains diversity score of 0.24 is less than the state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has declined by 12% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,920 students
2,348 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Missouri State University-West Plains and community college average number of enrollment of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
13:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Missouri State University-West Plains and community college average student staff ratio of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
717 students
1,145 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Missouri State University-West Plains and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,203 students
1,203 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Missouri State University-West Plains and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Missouri State University-West Plains.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of MO.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
111 students
213 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
717 students
1,145 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Missouri State University-West Plains and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
908 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
13 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
200 students
This chart display the dormitory capacity of Missouri State University-West Plains and the community college average dormitory capacity of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in MO by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percentage of Asian community college students in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
5%
7%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percentage of Black community college students in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
85%
62%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percentage of White community college students in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
3%
21%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Missouri State University-West Plains.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in MO.
Diversity Score
0.24
0.56
This chart display the diversity score of Missouri State University-West Plains and the community college average diversity score of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
30%
34%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Missouri State University-West Plains and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.12%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$28,400
$30,900
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Missouri State University-West Plains and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of MO by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,020 is less than the state average of $4,968. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,440 is more than the state average of $6,538. The out-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,020
$4,968
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Missouri State University-West Plains and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,440
$6,538
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Missouri State University-West Plains and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
94%
92%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Missouri State University-West Plains and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,125
$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Missouri State University-West Plains and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,324
$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Missouri State University-West Plains and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in MO by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
95%

Sports

Total Sports Offered
3 sports
Sports
Basketball, Cheering, Volleyball
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Missouri State University-West Plains was founded in 1963 as the West Plains Residence Center. In 1977, the SMSU Board of Regents and, subsequently, the Missouri General Assembly, designated the name "West Plains Campus of Southwest Missouri State University" to replace Residence Center. In 1981, the legislature enacted a permanent status bill for the campus. In 1991, the legislature passed House Bill 51 which gave the West Plains Campus the authority to offer "one-year certificates, two-year associate degrees and credit and non-credit courses." Missouri State University-West Plains specializes in providing quality education to students of all ages in the south central Ozarks region of Missouri. For over 50 years, the college has grown and expanded to offer a liberal arts transfer curriculum at the freshman and sophomore levels, selected occupational and technical education programs, and a variety of continuing education courses. Enrollment is approximately 2,200 students per semester. The campus consists ofsix classroom and administrative buildings—Cass Hall, Garfield Hall, Kellett Hall, Looney Hall, Melton Hall, and the Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center. The $4.3 million Michael J. Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center, opened in Spring 2000. In addition to the classroom and administrative buildings, the campus includes the Garnett Library, a 60-person residence hall called the Grizzly House, the Putnam Student Center, and the V.H. Drago College Store. In 2000, the campus received two additional properties, Richards House, which is the permanent residence of the Missouri State University – West Plains Chancellor, and Gohn, whichhouses the Missouri State University-Springfield Outreach Office. Missouri State University-West Plains offers Associate degrees, transfer programs and training for immediate employment. Missouri State University-West Plains is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Missouri State University-West Plains cost?
Missouri State University-West Plains's tuition is approximately $4,020 for In-State students and $7,440 for Out-State students.
What sports does Missouri State University-West Plains offer?
Missouri State University-West Plains offers 3 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering and Volleyball.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 1,920 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,020
  • Out-state tuition: $7,440
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 15%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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Did You Know?

For Missouri public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,968 per year for in-state students and $6,538 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $16,658 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Missouri is 88%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Missouri community colleges have a diversity score of 0.56, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Missouri is Concorde Career College-Kansas City. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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