Missouri State University

Welcome Kansas City Students

What's Springfield like?

Springfield exit sign

Not too big and not too small

Springfield is Missouri's third-largest city, with about 350,000 people living in the metropolitan area. By comparison, the Kansas City area has over 2 million people. So Springfield is large enough to let you feel the electric vibe of a city, but small enough so you won't feel lost or in danger. Springfield's violent-crime rate is well below the national average.

 

Thousands of places to eat, shop and have fun

  • 500 restaurants
  • 1,500 retail shopping outlets
  • Four large movie-theatre complexes
  • The Springfield Cardinals baseball team
  • A performing arts center (on campus) that draws Broadway plays and nationally known entertainers

KC to Springfield map

Convenient to other metro areas

Springfield is fewer than three hours from Kansas City, about three hours from St. Louis, two hours from the Lake of the Ozarks, three hours from Columbia, and about 45 minutes from Branson. The city's regional airport, which is served by major airline carriers, can quickly get you to great destinations nationwide.

Plenty of part-time job opportunities

Springfield's economy is the fastest-growing in Missouri. Businesses are expanding and new businesses are coming into town regularly. If you want to work part-time while you're in school, you'll have no problem getting a job. Many top corporations from the Kansas City area such as Cerner Corporation and Sprint recruit and employ Missouri State graduates.

Vacation paradise

Springfield's location in the Ozarks gives you access to all the boating, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking and mountain-biking you could ask for. It's less than an hour's drive to Branson, one of the nation's top vacation destinations.

Why do nearly 1,200 Kansas City area students choose Missouri State?

Meet our Kansas City representatives

Jill DuncanJill Duncan
Associate Director

Phone: 417.693.1937
JillDuncan@missouristate.edu

View Jill's travel schedule

View Jill's high schools

Priscilla Ayala Priscilla Ayala
Admission Counselor for Diversity Outreach and Recruitment

Phone: 417.836.3166
PriscillaAyala@missouristate.edu

View Priscilla's travel schedule

View Priscilla's high schools

Did you know?

  • •  Over 1,200 students from the Kansas City area call Missouri State their home.
  • •  8,400 Missouri State alumni live in the Kansas City area.
  • •  While there are lots of students from Kansas City, you'll also get a chance to meet students from throughout the rest of Missouri and the U.S. as well as 80 countries.
  • •  While we may not have Gate's BBQ, Springfield enjoys its own take on great BBQ and other cuisine served in over 500 restaurants.
  • •  Springfield may not be the "City of Fountains," but Hammons Fountain on the Missouri State campus will make you feel right at home. It's a great place to relax, study, or just hang out on a sunny day.