Northwest Missouri State University partners with Niche to automatically accept qualified students. No application needed. Learn more about Niche Direct Admissions
Monthly Update
8.19.2024
Northwest Missouri State University and the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce will commemorate the University’s newest dining location with a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Aug. 29. Learn More
gradeB
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?Data Sources
Academics
gradeB minus
Value
gradeB
Diversity
gradeB+
Campus
gradeB+
Athletics
gradeA+
Party Scene
gradeA
Professors
gradeB minus
Location
gradeB
Dorms
gradeB+
Campus Food
gradeB
Student Life
gradeA minus
Safety
gradeA minus
About
About Northwest...
- No Application Fee
- Public College
- SAT/ACT Optional
- Some Online Degrees
Athletic Division
NCAA Division II (with football)
Athletic Conference
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
- Missouri
- Maryville
From Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is home to a beautiful campus filled with caring individuals. People say "it's different here", and they're right. Northwest provides you with the tools you need to thrive, day one.
With 100+ academic programs to choose from, Northwest is home to great thinkers, innovators, athletes, change-makers, and more. On-campus students receive textbooks and a laptop included with tuition and fees, saving students $6,900 over four years. Northwest focuses on affordability by awarding students $22 million in scholarships and grants annually.
At Northwest, you'll find people who are kind, welcoming, and passionate about Bearcats. Northwest faculty and staff support students inside and outside of the classroom and connect students to campus resources that aid in student success. With a focus on profession-based learning, 95% of Northwest students earning a bachelor's degree secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation.
Upcoming Events
Sept14
Saturday Academic Showcase
Maryville, Missouri
View Event Description
Saturday Academic Showcases are great for students who find it challenging to make it to campus during the week. You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty in each of our academic areas, learn more about the admissions process/scholarships, tour our beautiful campus, and meet with someone from the Financial Assistance Office. During the tour, you will hear from a current student and meet other families visiting in a group setting. All students will receive a free t-shirt and students/guests will receive free lunch!The 90-minute walking group tour is led by a Northwest Student Ambassador who will share his or her individual experiences about Northwest and some pointers for selecting a university. The average campus tour is a 2-mile walk. If you need help walking this distance, please let us know when scheduling the time and special arrangements can be made.
Saturday Academic Showcases are great for students who find it challenging to make it to campus during the week. You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty in each of our academic areas, learn more about the admissions process/scholarships, tour our beautiful campus, and meet with someone from the Financial Assistance Office. During the tour, you will hear from a current student and meet other families visiting in a group setting. All students will receive a free t-shirt and students/guests will receive free lunch!The 90-minute walking group tour is led by a Northwest Student Ambassador who will share his or her individual experiences about Northwest and some pointers for selecting a university. The average campus tour is a 2-mile walk. If you need help walking this distance, please let us know when scheduling the time and special arrangements can be made.
Sept18
School of Education Visit Day
Maryville, Missouri
View Event Description
Explore majors in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education, which includes interacting with current Northwest faculty and students. The event will highlight Northwest with a campus tour and information sessions. Students will learn how the School of Education can further their career goals and have a chance to explore their major in depth.
Explore majors in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education, which includes interacting with current Northwest faculty and students. The event will highlight Northwest with a campus tour and information sessions. Students will learn how the School of Education can further their career goals and have a chance to explore their major in depth.
Sept19
Music Visit Day
Maryville, Missouri
View Event Description
Explore majors in Music, with concentrations in Instrumental Music Education and Vocal Music Education also available, which includes interacting with current Northwest faculty and students.The Department of Fine and Performing Arts is committed to excellence in music and music education. Our music faculty are outstanding performers and teachers, and our music graduates are given a wide variety of experiences to prepare for their chosen professions upon graduation. During the Music Visit Day, prospective students will have opportunities to sit-in and sing/play with our ensembles during their rehearsal time, meet one-on-one with our faculty, and take a campus tour. We look forward to meeting you at the Northwest Music Visit Day!
Explore majors in Music, with concentrations in Instrumental Music Education and Vocal Music Education also available, which includes interacting with current Northwest faculty and students.The Department of Fine and Performing Arts is committed to excellence in music and music education. Our music faculty are outstanding performers and teachers, and our music graduates are given a wide variety of experiences to prepare for their chosen professions upon graduation. During the Music Visit Day, prospective students will have opportunities to sit-in and sing/play with our ensembles during their rehearsal time, meet one-on-one with our faculty, and take a campus tour. We look forward to meeting you at the Northwest Music Visit Day!
Sept24
Agricultural Sciences Visit Day
Maryville, Missouri
View Event Description
Explore majors in Agriculture, which includes interacting with current Northwest faculty and students. The event will highlight Northwest with a campus tour and information sessions. Students will learn how the School of Agricultural Sciences can further their career goals and have a chance to explore their major in depth.
Explore majors in Agriculture, which includes interacting with current Northwest faculty and students. The event will highlight Northwest with a campus tour and information sessions. Students will learn how the School of Agricultural Sciences can further their career goals and have a chance to explore their major in depth.
Northwest Missouri State University Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
See All Northwest Missouri State University Rankings
Admissions
Application Deadline
Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.
Rolling Admissions
Acceptance Rate
86%
SAT Range
980-1140
ACT Range
18-24
Application Fee
$0
SAT/ACT
Considered but not required
High School GPA
Required
Accepts Common App
No data available —
Read More About Admissions
Will You Get Into NWMSU?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Northwest Missouri State University
See Other CollegesYouTube Video
Cost
Net Price
$14,197/ year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$8,387/ year
National
$7,535
Students Receiving Financial Aid
98%
Find Private Student Loans
Find College Scholarships
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Academics
Professors
gradeB minus
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
19:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
86%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.88 responses
74%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.103 responses
71%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.103 responses
Read More About Academics
Majors
Most Popular Majors
Business
95 Graduates
Elementary Education
79 Graduates
Communications
77 Graduates
Agricultural Business
61 Graduates
Marketing
48 Graduates
Early Childhood Education
44 Graduates
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
43 Graduates
Social Psychology
42 Graduates
Psychology
36 Graduates
Biology
32 Graduates
More
See All Majors
Northwest research team finds gaps in local children's mental health resources, highlighting opportunities for improved access.
Northwest Missouri State University researchers, in partnership with Mosaic Life Care, recently completed an assessment of pediatric mental health resources in area counties that found gaps exist in resource availability and other barriers preventing access to mental health care for children.
Online
Programs Offered Entirely Online
Total number of complete undergraduate programs offered online or through distance learning.
10
Offers Online Courses
College offers distance education courses.
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
Total number of certificate degree programs offered online or through distance education.
1
Online Associates Programs
Total number of associate degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Online Bachelor's Programs
Total number of bachelor's degree programs offered online or through distance education.
9
Explore All Online Majors
How Students Learn
Based on class setting of student enrollment.
Mix of Online and on Campus
27%
On Campus
61%
Online
12%
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
4,278Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
1,030
Undergrads Over 25
7%
Pell Grant
35%
Varsity Athletes
5%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on
75 responses
Friend Material
37%
Helpful
27%
Athletic
9%
Outgoing
8%
Optimistic
5%
Similar
5%
Stressed
5%
More
Read More About the Students
Campus Life
Freshmen Live On-Campus
No data available —
Poll
57%
of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.106 responses
Poll
82%
of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life.133 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on
88 responses
Friendly
34%
Family
25%
Diverse
14%
Home away from home
10%
Academically Challenging
6%
Nightmare
5%
Beautiful
2%
More
Read More About Campus Life
After College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$40,000/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
54%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
95%
National
83%
81%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.64 responses
Read More About Life After Graduation
Northwest Missouri State University Reviews
Rating 3.78 out of 5 1,170 reviews
Rating 5 out of 5
There are hundreds of ways to get involved at Northwest with Greek Life, clubs, intramurals, and more. There are things to do on campus and in the town, but you have to be willing to look for them. Grab a friend to take with you and it will be fun! The diversity on campus has increased recently so that is good to see. Sometimes I couldn't find a parking spot by where my classes were, but it's less than a 10 minute walk anywhere. I loved being a Bearcat and tell everyone to check out Northwest!
- Alum
- 4 months ago
Rating 5 out of 5
The professors go above and beyond to ensure their students are successful in and out of college! Having the opportunity to take Online Professional courses has truly been a blessing and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a Bearcat!
- Sophom*ore
- 13 days ago
Rating 5 out of 5
I love how the campus feels like home. Everyone is close and family to you. I knew I belonged here the moment I moved to Missouri. I had dreamed of being accepted, and I was so excited when I was. The environment during football season is inspiring and so uplifting. I get excited every year, mainly because i’m on the color guard team. I love my team. I would love to see more people on campus become more accepting to diversity. Besides that I love the food options, the library, the laptops, the aesthetic of the campus, and most of the professors.
- Sophom*ore
- 3 months ago