Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern State University is a public four-year institution located in Joplin, Missouri, in a small city campus setting. The university enrolls 4,658 students (IPEDS 2023) and holds a quality score of 42.33 out of 100. Its completion rate is 38% (IPEDS 2023) and retention rate is 70% (IPEDS 2023).

The university offers a range of workforce-focused programs across healthcare and industrial technology. Healthcare programs include Registered Nursing and Health/Health Care Administration/Management at the associate level, Respiratory Care Therapy at the certificate level, Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) at the certificate level, and Medical Radiologic Technology/Science at the certificate level. Industrial and technology programs include Industrial Technology at both certificate and associate levels, Manufacturing Engineering Technology at the certificate level, and Health/Health Care Administration/Management at the certificate level.

Located in Joplin in southwest Missouri near the Kansas and Oklahoma borders, Missouri Southern State University serves as a regional access institution, offering practical technical and health programs alongside traditional undergraduate study.