
Missouri Western State University (MWSU or MoWest) is a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri, that was founded in 1915 as St. Joseph Junior College. As of 2023, the university had approximately 3,815 students enrolled, with 3,500 students benefiting from a nurturing atmosphere and quality interactions with faculty and staff. The university offers a range of bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs, with popular majors including Business Management, Chemistry, Nursing, Cybersecurity, Criminal Justice, and Digital Animation. MWSU has a strong athletic presence, competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and NCAA Division II, and has been the summer training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs since 2010.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Students | 3,815 as of 2023 |
| Location | St. Joseph, Missouri |
| Year Founded | 1915 |
| Ranking | #138 in Regional Universities Midwest, 2025 |
| Tuition and Fees (In-State) | $9,690 |
| Tuition and Fees (Out-of-State) | $18,870 |
| Median Undergraduate Tuition | $7,740 in 2023 |
| Average Net Price | $12,764 in 2023 |
| Room and Board Costs | $10,200 in 2023 |
| Books and Supplies Costs | $1,000 in 2023 |
| Financial Aid (Grants) | 60% of students received aid in 2023 |
| Financial Aid (Loans) | 30% of students received aid in 2023 |
| Sports Offered | 16 as of 2017 |
| Mascot | Griffon |
| Athletics Conference | Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association |
| Athletics Division | NCAA Division II |
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What You'll Learn
- Missouri Western State University had 3,815 students enrolled as of 2023
- The university offers a range of Bachelor's, Masters, and Certificate courses
- % of undergraduate students received financial aid in 2023
- The university's sports teams are called the Griffons
- The most common Bachelor's degree at the university is in Registered Nursing

Missouri Western State University had 3,815 students enrolled as of 2023
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) or MoWest is a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri. As of 2023, it enrolled 3,815 students, a decrease from the 3,500 students enrolled in previous years. The university was founded in 1915 as St. Joseph Junior College and was originally located in Central High School at 13th and Patee. In 1933, the junior college relocated to the Robidoux Polytechnic High School building at 10th Street between Edmond and Charles.
MWSU offers a range of Bachelor's, Master's, and Certificate programs, with popular majors including Business Management, Chemistry, Nursing, Cybersecurity, Criminal Justice, Digital Animation, Manufacturing Engineering Tech, Medical Laboratory Science, and Wildlife Conservation. The university is home to the Griffons, competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and NCAA Division II. It offers various sports, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
The university is known for its supportive faculty and nurturing atmosphere, with faculty and staff promoting quality interactions and an ethic of care. The professors are generous in helping students transition from high school to college. The university also provides resources such as a library, tutoring center, and career services, contributing to a rich learning environment.
In terms of rankings, Missouri Western State University was ranked #138 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in the Regional Universities Midwest category. The university has also been designated as Missouri's Applied Learning Institution, allowing it to grant master's degrees. The median undergraduate tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year is $7,740, with an average net price of $12,764 after grants and loans. 60% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, while 30% received aid through loans. The yearly cost of room and board is $10,200, and the average cost of books and supplies is $1,000.
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The university offers a range of Bachelor's, Masters, and Certificate courses
Missouri Western State University (MWSU or MoWest) is a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri. As of 2023, it enrolled 3,815 students. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor's, master's, and certificate courses.
MWSU provides a variety of degree programs through its several colleges and schools. These include the College of Liberal Arts, College of Business and Professional Studies, College of Science and Health, Craig School of Business, School of Fine Arts, School of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Graduate School. The university is authorized to confer professional master's degrees, four-year baccalaureate programs, two-year associate degrees, pre-professional transfer programs, and one-year certificates.
In 2005, legislation changed the institution's name to Missouri Western State University and designated it as Missouri's Applied Learning Institution, authorizing it to grant master's degrees. The university has seen significant growth in graduate enrollment since then, with a 100% or more increase each year in its first six years of offering graduate degrees. As of 2016, MWSU offered 18 master's degree programs and six graduate certificates.
The university's academic programs cater to a diverse range of interests and career paths. For instance, Missouri Western offers a TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages) program, which is internationally recognized and provides graduates with expanded career opportunities. The university also has a strong focus on research and has received funding from the National Science Foundation to create the National Undergraduate Research Clearinghouse. This online repository allows STEM undergraduates to publish articles with faculty approval, and it has been featured in renowned scientific magazines and utilized by journalists.
Missouri Western State University's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is #138 among Regional Universities Midwest. With its variety of academic programs, MWSU offers students a well-rounded educational experience and the flexibility to pursue their academic and career goals. The university's commitment to applied learning and graduate studies has contributed to its growing reputation as a comprehensive academic institution.
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60% of undergraduate students received financial aid in 2023
Missouri Western State University (MWSU) is a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri. As of 2023, it enrolled 3,815 students. The university offers a range of financial aid options to its students, including grants, scholarships, fellowships, and loans.
In 2023, 60% of undergraduate students at Missouri Western State University received financial aid through grants or loans. This represents a decline from the previous year, when 72% of undergraduate students received financial aid. The average net price of attending the university, after factoring in grants and loans, was $12,764 in 2023, an increase of 7.11% from the previous year.
The total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses, is estimated to be $24,186 for in-state students and $32,706 for out-of-state students. To help offset these costs, various forms of financial aid are available. For example, 48% of students received Pell Grants from the U.S. Federal Government, with an average award of $5,780 in 2019-2020. Additionally, 51% of students received Federal Student Loans, with an average loan amount of $5,257.
It is important to note that not all students qualify for financial aid, and those who do may receive varying amounts based on their individual circumstances. The university recommends considering one's ability to make post-graduation loan payments based on their expected salary. Missouri Western State University also provides resources such as work-study programs and campus job opportunities for students seeking to earn money during their time at the university.
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The university's sports teams are called the Griffons
Missouri Western State University, a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri, had 3,815 students enrolled as of 2023. The university's sports teams are called the Griffons. The mascot was adopted in 1917, and the university has been competing as the Griffons ever since.
The Missouri Western Griffons participate in the NCAA's Division II and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). They compete in 16 intercollegiate athletic teams, including lacrosse, which competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Football is played at Spratt Stadium, with Matt Williamson as the current head coach. The highest attendance at football games is noted during the Missouri Western–Northwest Missouri State football rivalry.
The university's sports teams have had notable successes. For instance, in 2006, the Griffons defeated Truman State University, and their then-coach, Jerry Partridge, became Missouri Western's all-time wins leader. Partridge's total of 149 career victories currently ranks third on the MIAA all-time list.
Missouri Western State University has also been the summer training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs since 2010 (except in 2020 due to COVID-19). The $15.7 million facility was funded by a combination of sources, including the Chiefs, student fees, and the City of St. Joseph.
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The most common Bachelor's degree at the university is in Registered Nursing
Missouri Western State University (MWSU or MoWest) is a public university in St. Joseph, Missouri. As of 2023, the university enrolled 3,815 students. The university offers a variety of degree programs through its College of Liberal Arts, College of Business and Professional Studies, College of Science and Health, School of Fine Arts, School of Nursing & Health Professions, and Graduate School.
The most common bachelor's degree concentration at Missouri Western State University is Registered Nursing. In 2023, 91 degrees were awarded in this field, making it the most popular option for undergraduate students at the university. This is followed by General Business Administration & Management (46 degrees) and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (44 degrees).
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Missouri Western State University is designed to prepare individuals to practice professional nursing. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to qualify for licensure as registered nurses. The university's School of Nursing & Health Professions offers a range of programs to meet the needs of students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare.
In addition to its nursing program, Missouri Western State University offers a variety of other bachelor's degree programs. These include the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degrees. The university also offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree, which provides a broad foundation in business principles for students interested in business, industry, or government careers.
The university's curriculum, called CORE 42, is designed to provide students with basic competencies in areas such as Valuing, Managing Information, Communicating, and Higher-Order Thinking. This curriculum consists of a minimum of 42 semester hours distributed across courses in five knowledge areas. Missouri Western State University also offers graduate programs, including master's degrees and graduate certificates.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Missouri Western State University enrolled 3,815 students.
In 2023, 350 graduates were celebrated during the spring commencement.
The median undergraduate tuition at Missouri Western State University is $7,740, which is $21,540 less than the national average for Baccalaureate Colleges.
The average yearly cost of room and board at Missouri Western State University was $10,200 in 2023.
Missouri Western State University has a fairly balanced gender ratio, with slightly more female students than male. In 2023, 227 more women than men received degrees from the university.

































