# Missouri Southern State University

> Public university in southwest Missouri

**Wikidata**: [Q6879708](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6879708)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Southern_State_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/missouri-southern-state-university

## Summary
Missouri Southern State University is a public university located in Joplin, Missouri, founded in 1937. It is a four-year, primarily nonresidential institution with a focus on baccalaureate education across diverse fields.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1937 as Joplin Junior College
- Located at 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595
- Has approximately 5,045 students (2020) and 666 employees (2020)
- Admission rate of 98% (2020)
- Classified as a baccalaureate college with diverse fields by Carnegie Classification
- Member of the American Council on Education
- Athletic program: Missouri Southern State Lions
- Coordinates: 37.096°N, -94.4622°W

## FAQs
### Q: What is Missouri Southern State University known for?
A: Missouri Southern State University is known for being a public university in southwest Missouri offering baccalaureate degrees across diverse fields, with a strong focus on undergraduate education and a very high admission rate.

### Q: Where is Missouri Southern State University located?
A: Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, Missouri, at 3950 E. Newman Road, with coordinates 37.096°N, -94.4622°W.

### Q: When was Missouri Southern State University founded?
A: Missouri Southern State University was founded in 1937 as Joplin Junior College and has since evolved into a four-year public university.

## Why It Matters
Missouri Southern State University plays a vital role in providing accessible higher education to the southwest Missouri region. As a public institution with a very high admission rate of 98%, it serves as an important gateway for students seeking baccalaureate degrees across diverse fields. The university's classification as a baccalaureate college with diverse fields and its designation as a "very high undergraduate" institution highlight its commitment to undergraduate education. By offering a range of programs and maintaining a primarily nonresidential campus, MSSU contributes to the educational and economic development of Joplin and the surrounding area, providing opportunities for local students to pursue higher education without leaving their community.

## Notable For
- Very high admission rate of 98%, making it highly accessible to prospective students
- Classification as a baccalaureate college with diverse fields, offering a wide range of undergraduate programs
- Athletic program known as the Missouri Southern State Lions
- Long history dating back to 1937, originally founded as Joplin Junior College
- Member of the American Council on Education, participating in national higher education initiatives

## Body
### History and Development
Missouri Southern State University traces its origins to 1937 when it was established as Joplin Junior College. Over the decades, the institution has evolved from a junior college to a comprehensive four-year university, reflecting the growing educational needs of the region.

### Academic Profile
The university is classified as a baccalaureate college with diverse fields by the Carnegie Classification system. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines, with a particular emphasis on providing accessible education to a diverse student body. The institution's classification as "very high undergraduate" indicates a strong focus on undergraduate education.

### Student Body and Admissions
With an enrollment of approximately 5,045 students (as of 2020), Missouri Southern State University maintains a relatively large student population for its classification. The university's admission rate of 98% (2020) demonstrates its commitment to accessibility and its role as an open-enrollment institution.

### Campus and Location
Located in Joplin, Missouri, the university's campus is situated at 3950 E. Newman Road. The institution's classification as a "four-year, medium, primarily nonresidential" college suggests that while it offers on-campus housing, many students likely commute or have other living arrangements.

### Athletics and Student Life
The university's athletic teams, known as the Missouri Southern State Lions, contribute to campus life and provide opportunities for student-athletes. The presence of an athletic program is often a significant aspect of student life and community engagement at many universities.

### Institutional Affiliations
As a member of the American Council on Education, Missouri Southern State University participates in national higher education initiatives and has access to resources and networks that can benefit its students and faculty. This membership also indicates the university's commitment to maintaining high standards in higher education.

### Technology and Online Presence
The university maintains an active online presence through its website (http://www.mssu.edu) and social media platforms, including Twitter (@mosolions) and Facebook (mssulions). This digital engagement helps the institution connect with current and prospective students, alumni, and the broader community.

## References

1. [GRID](https://www.grid.ac/institutes/grid.432373.2)
2. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
3. Global LEI Index
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. Freebase Data Dumps
9. [Source](http://www.mssu.edu)
10. GRID Release 2016-05-31
11. GRID Release 2016-12-06
12. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
13. Quora
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
16. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
17. National Center for Education Statistics