Missouri Western State University campus
Missouri Western State University logo

Missouri Western State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale City: Small
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 1,239
Student to faculty ratio 17 to 1
Students retention rate 60%
On-time graduation rate 36%

Located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, MoWest is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

One of the notable aspects of Missouri Western State University is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Missouri Western State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

While the on-time graduation rate at MoWest is reported to be 36%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Missouri state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 51% whereas the national average was 49%.

The retention rate of students at MoWest is 60% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Missouri is 72%, while the national average is 72%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at MoWest do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,875

Cost of attendance at Missouri Western State University in 2022 for students from Missouri.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Missouri's average $9,083
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$15,400

Cost of attendance at Missouri Western State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Missouri's average $19,257
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 98 of freshman students at Missouri Western State University received on average $8,453 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$8,453
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 303 48% $5,008 $1,517,538
Other Federal Grant 577 91% $3,357 $1,937,227
State Grant/Scholarships 257 41% $2,179 $560,092
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 492 78% $5,542 $2,726,576
Total Grant & Scholarships 618 98% $8,453 $5,223,895

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Missouri Western State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Missouri Western State University students is 36.5%. Female students graduated at a rate of 37.2%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 35.3%.

36.5%

  • asian 70.0% 7 students
  • African American 25.6% 21 students
  • white 36.8% 231 students
  • unknown 34.8% 8 students
  • International Students 50.0% 5 students
  • Mixed Race 43.2% 19 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Baseball Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Basketball Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Track and Cross Country Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Missouri Western State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • On-campus day care for students' children
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Missouri Western State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Postbaccalaureate Recreational or avocational education
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)