Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, Missouri · Public
ROI Score: 29/100 · Poor Value
Missouri Western State University posts a 29/100 ROI score in our Poor Value tier, dragged down by a 38.5% completion rate that's among the weaker numbers on our database for any public four-year. In-state tuition of $10,306 and net price of $13,251 keep cost moderate — four-year total of $53,004 is reasonable — but the back-end outcomes don't match. Median earnings of $31,300 six years out and $42,647 by year ten are below average for a regional public, producing only a 14.4% earnings premium over high-school baseline. Median debt of $19,968 against $31,300 early earnings yields a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, and the 25.2-year paybackPeriod is a serious flag — graduates need more than two decades to recoup the cost. The three-year repayment rate of 71.4% is acceptable, but the five-year rate drops to 52.1% and seven-year to 57.1%, suggesting borrowers struggle to maintain progress as the repayment period extends. With 2,219 students and a 28.4% Pell rate, MWSU serves a working-class regional population in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Nursing and a handful of business programs deliver decent value; the broad liberal-arts and education majors that absorb most graduates do not.
The data raises concerns about Missouri Western State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score29/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate38.5% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period25.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Missouri Western State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,306/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,866/yr |
| Average net price | $13,251/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $53,004 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,647 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,968 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $212 |
| Estimated payback period | 25.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 38.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,219 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Missouri Western State University is $10,306/year ($20,866/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $13,251/year, or roughly $53,004 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,243/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,764/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,968 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $212 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,647 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.64 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,243 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,674 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,965 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,119 |
| $110,001+ | $17,764 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $11,243 net — modest but not bargain-tier given the school's underlying outcomes. Across four years that's $44,972 against $31,300 graduate earnings. Pell plus Missouri state aid handles much of the load. The risk is the 38.5% completion rate — Pell-eligible students who don't finish leave with debt and no degree, the worst possible outcome.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001–$48,000 bracket pays $11,674, $48,001–$75,000 pays $13,965, and $75,001–$110,000 pays $16,119 — a clean monotonic progression with no inversions. Middle-income families pay $46,000-$64,000 over four years against $31,300 early-career earnings; the math only works for nursing and the few stronger business tracks.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $17,764 — about $71,056 across four years. For an in-state regional public, that's a meaningful price tag against $31,300 graduate earnings. High-income families paying full freight at MWSU should weigh whether a Missouri flagship (Mizzou) or another stronger-outcomes regional (UCM) offers materially better value at modestly higher cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Missouri Western State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $74,875 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,581 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $51,174 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,709 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $39,163 | C |
| Marketing | $57,015 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $45,251 | C |
| Biology | $53,505 | C |
| Psychology | $46,402 | D |
| Social Work | $46,187 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is MWSU's strongest financial program: 91 graduates with first-year earnings of $70,938 climbing to $74,875 by year four. Median debt of $25,000 yields a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio (B grade). The Saint Joseph and Kansas City metro hospital markets place graduates immediately into 6-figure-trajectory nursing roles. For Missouri students set on BSN credentials at an affordable price, this is one of MWSU's defensible value plays.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Admin graduates 54 students annually with first-year earnings of $41,902 climbing to $62,581 by year four. Median debt of $25,497 yields a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio (C grade). Solid mid-tier outcomes for a regional public business program; graduates with internships or sales/operations placements see meaningfully better trajectories than the median.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Interdisciplinary Studies graduates 44 students with first-year earnings of $34,729 climbing to $51,174 by year four. Median debt of $26,863 yields a 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio (D grade). This catch-all major often signals undecided students who finish the most flexible path available — outcomes lag credentialing programs significantly. Students considering this track should weigh whether a more focused business or teaching credential offers better long-run value.
Teacher Education
Teacher Ed graduates 38 students with first-year earnings of $33,695 climbing to only $39,163 by year four — among the flatter trajectories in our data, reflecting Missouri's low public-school teacher salaries. Median debt of $21,352 yields a 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio (C grade). Suitable for students committed to Missouri public-school teaching as a calling rather than a financial bet.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice graduates 38 students with first-year earnings of $39,808 climbing to $52,709 by year four. Median debt of $20,149 yields a 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio (C+ grade). Pipeline into Missouri state and local law enforcement, corrections, and federal agency roles. One of MWSU's better non-nursing program ROIs, particularly for students with clear public-safety career targets.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 52.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 57.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 2,219 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,902 |
Admission rate, SAT, and ACT figures are not reported in current Scorecard data for Missouri Western — typical for regional publics with rolling, near-open-access admission. Without published selectivity data, prospective students should focus on the 38.5% completion rate as the meaningful signal: getting in is easy, but finishing is genuinely hard, and that attrition is the single biggest risk to any debt-financed enrollment decision.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among MWSU's listed peers — University of Central Missouri, Harris-Stowe State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Rogers State University — UCM is the standout with a meaningfully better ROI score driven by stronger completion. Harris-Stowe and Maryland Eastern Shore are HBCUs with similar Poor Value tier outcomes; MassArt is a specialty institution and not really a comparison. Rogers State is a closer Missouri-region peer with comparable but slightly better completion. MWSU sits at the lower end of this peer set.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Western State University (this school) | 29 | $13,251 | $42,647 |
| University of Central Missouri | 48 | $14,462 | $49,560 |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | 29 | $24,100 | $43,582 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 28 | $13,338 | $47,697 |
| Rogers State University | 28 | $15,314 | $43,166 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | 5 | $9,922 | $31,088 |
Who Thrives Here
MWSU fits Missouri-resident students seeking an affordable regional public for nursing, business, criminal justice, or teaching pipelines — particularly students with strong family or work ties to St. Joseph and northwest Missouri. With 2,219 students and a 28.4% Pell rate, the campus is small, working-class, and commuter-heavy. Outcomes look acceptable for nursing graduates ($70,938 first-year earnings, B grade) and reasonable for finance/accounting graduates; for the larger flow of teacher-prep, social work, psychology, and interdisciplinary majors, the debt-to-earnings math is consistently weak.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Missouri Western State University. With a net cost of $13,251 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,647 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 25.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 38.5% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $19,968 against $42,647 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.