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Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, MO·Public·4,550 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 4,550 students.

86%
Accept
4,550
Students
$14,824
Net Price
57%
Grad Rate
$43,700
Earnings
10 yr
$14,927
Debt

About This School

Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri with approximately 4,550 undergraduate students enrolled. Northwest Missouri State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 86%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,824 per year. The graduation rate is 57%, and the typical graduate earns $43,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Northwest Missouri State University is a public university in Maryville, Missouri, United States. It has an enrollment of 9,152 students. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, its campus is based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and is the official Missouri State Arboretum. The school is governed by a state-appointed Board of Regents and headed by President Lance Tatum.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of $14,824/year and low debt at graduation are genuinely appealing, but a 57% graduation rate and 74% freshman retention rate suggest that a significant number of students either struggle to finish or find a better fit elsewhere. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, lower-cost Midwest campus and have a clear plan to stay on track — but ask hard questions about academic support and what's driving that dropout pattern before committing.

Founded
1905
Setting
Remote town

Popular Programs

Education19%
Business & Marketing18%
Psychology10%
Health Professions8%
Communications6%
Computer Science4%
Social Sciences4%
Biological Sciences4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Jean BartikKim ReynoldsSteve King

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1090
Reading 75th %ile600
Math 75th %ile600

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite22

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$10,181
Out-of-State Tuition
$16,623
Avg Net Price
$14,824
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants27%
Median debt at graduation$14,927

Full Cost

Cost of attendance$22,906

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
57%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
74%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$14,927
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$14,927
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$34,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White82%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino5%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,550 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Northwest Missouri State University

800 University Drive

Maryville, MO 64468-6001

View on Google Maps →

Official Links

Other Schools in Missouri

Browse all Missouri schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Official School Resources
Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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