About

Missouri State University is a public, coeducational institution of higher education headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, and recognized as one of the largest universities in the state with a broad academic structure supporting student learning and professional growth. Established in 1905 as Missouri State Normal School, the university originally focused on teacher training before expanding its curriculum, becoming Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in 1919, later Southwest Missouri State College in 1945, and ultimately achieving university status in 1972 before adopting its current name in 2005. The university provides about 15 undergraduate degrees across more than 110 academic programs along with 13 graduate degrees in roughly 30 programs, delivered through approximately 47 academic departments housed within colleges such as arts and letters, business administration, education, health and human services, humanities and public affairs, and natural and applied sciences. Missouri State also operates numerous research and service centers that support innovation, academic inquiry, and community engagement, while facilities like the Duane G. Meyer Library maintain specialized collections that enhance scholarly resources. In addition to the main campus, the university maintains a campus at Mountain Grove that hosts the State Fruit Experiment Station and a two-year branch campus in West Plains, expanding educational access across the region. Enrollment at the main campus is approximately 17,400 students, reflecting its role as a major public education provider in Missouri. The institution emphasizes career preparation and lifelong success through a wide range of majors, graduate degrees, certificates, and student opportunities, while campus life includes hundreds of student organizations and strong career outcomes, with 92% of graduates reporting employment or continued education after graduation.

Industries Served

Education, Healthcare, Business & Finance, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Government & Public Administration, Hospitality & Tourism, Media & Communications, Social Services, Environmental Studies, Research & Development.