Missouri Western State University (Western)
Public four-year university in Saint Joseph, MO that costs an average of $16,379 a year after financial aid and graduates 35% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$16,379
Acceptance rate
Open
Graduation rate
35%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$47,624
PublicSmall city2,219 undergraduates
Cost of Western
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $26,554 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $11,056 |
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $20,926 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $15,342 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Average net price after aid | $16,379 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $14,372 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $15,155 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $15,339 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $19,278 |
| $110,001+ | $22,441 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with Western's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | Open admission (everyone admitted) |
|---|
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 35% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 54% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $42,165 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $47,624 |
| Rank in Missouri (earnings) | 36th of 53 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $19,560 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 30% |
| Students with federal loans | 29% |
Majors and programs at Western
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (48)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 173 | $77,646 | $20,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 1 | $61,206 | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 13 | $56,487 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 39 | $49,194 | $18,803 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 14 | $48,577 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 21 | $45,837 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 101 | $44,765 | $15,393 |
| Marketing | 55 | $41,608 | $16,475 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 62 | $41,198 | $23,917 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 63 | $41,004 | $15,089 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 75 | $39,656 | $21,741 |
| Psychology | 57 | $38,879 | $19,250 |
| Social Work | 44 | $38,832 | $21,939 |
| Biology | 64 | $35,773 | $22,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 24 | $35,411 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 71 | $34,769 | $24,488 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 25 | $26,881 | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 17 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 10 | — | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 5 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Computer Science | 32 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 2 | — | — |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 17 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | — | — | — |
| Economics | 5 | — | — |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 2 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 4 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 11 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 23 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 4 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 24 | — | — |
| History | 16 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 1 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 3 | — | — |
| Music | 9 | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 29 | — | $24,278 |
| Philosophy | 2 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 5 | — | — |
| Public Health | 10 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 4 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Sociology | 3 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 9 | — | — |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 27 | — | — |
Certificate programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| Legal Support Services | 22 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (4)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 29 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2 | — | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 5 | — | — |
| Legal Support Services | 6 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (15)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 24 | $101,355 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 58 | $69,705 | $20,500 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | — | — | — |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | 9 | — | — |
| Engineering-Related Fields | — | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Security Science and Technology | 18 | — | — |
| Social Work | 10 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 31 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (7)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Security Science and Technology | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 6 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Missouri
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truman State University | Kirksville | $12,317 | 84% | $57,751 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | $10,836 | 97% | $48,193 |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City | $13,788 | — | $41,642 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville | $16,120 | 86% | $52,028 |
| University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis | $14,990 | 63% | $59,899 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | Saint Louis | $11,182 | — | $39,919 |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla | $15,772 | 73% | $85,917 |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg | $15,554 | 64% | $52,739 |
About Western
| Type | Public four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Saint Joseph, MO |
| Setting | Small city |
| Undergraduates | 2,219 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | missouriwestern.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Western cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $26,554 a year (tuition and fees: $11,056 in-state, $20,926 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $16,379 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $14,372.
How much do Western graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $47,624 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 36th of 53 similar colleges in Missouri. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($77,646 a year after graduation).
What is Western's graduation rate?
35% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 54% of first-year students return for a second year.