Talking Points

24,000 Students Strong

More than 24,000 students are enrolled at Missouri State. These students come from all over Missouri and outside the state:

• More than 6,400 students from greater Springfield
• More than 4,100 students from greater St. Louis
• More than 1,600 students from greater Kansas City
• Students from every county in Missouri 
• More than 4,000 students from outside Missouri (including 97 foreign countries)

Our Graduates Join The Workforce

92% of our graduates are employed, enrolled, or enlisted within 6 months after graduation. MSU focuses on high quality academic programs in fields with significant employment demand.

• Missouri State's College of Business is the largest in Missouri with more than 4,000 students.
• More than 4,100 students are enrolled in professional health programs, and another 1,900 are enrolled in STEM fields.
• One in eight K-12 teachers in Missouri have a credential from Missouri State.

MSU Appreciates State Support

Last year, the General Assembly increased operating appropriations for public universities by 5.4%. This helped cover cost increases such as utilities, technology and employee compensation and benefits.

Missouri State University greatly appreciates the investment. MSU has reallocated more than $25 million in expenses and eliminated more than 100 positions over the past five years. Without this increase, MSU would have had to make further cuts and reduce services to students to fund mandatory cost increases.

This year, high inflation will result in above-normal increases in costs for labor, vendor contracts and facility maintenance. Missouri State University requests an increase in its operating appropriation for FY2024 to help cover this cost increase.