Missouri State University

Founded in 1905 and now the second largest university in Missouri, Missouri State University hosts a student body of over 24,000. The international student population is 1,500 from 81 countries. 23 percent of all Missouri State University students live on campus.

Missouri State University has six academic faculties: College of Arts and Letters, College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, College of Humanities and Public Affairs, College of Natural and Applied Sciences. 

Missouri State University employs 4,000 faculty and staff members, with nearly 90 percent of faculty members holding the highest ranking degree in their field.

In the athletic field, Missouri State University is a NCAA Division I university, boasting 47 NCAA championship appearances since the 1980s. Our mascot is the Grizzly Bear, named Boomer. Learn more about Missouri State University.

• Show Details

  Main Campus

  Springfield, Missouri, United States

  20,000+ on Campus

  100,000 - 250,000 residents in Springfield

  Language(s) spoken on campus: English

  Centrally located in the beautiful and historic Ozarks, the city of Springfield boasts a population of 165,000 and is the third largest city in Missouri. Springfield offers students small town charm, with metropolitan amenities. Springfield is located 166 miles south of Kansas City and 217 miles southwest of St. Louis. 

  MSU has more than 300 student organizations across academic, cultural, political, professional, religious, service, sport and social themes that are open to international students. As an international student you will have the opportunity to participate in many of the cultural, campus life activities, and athletic events, such as Homecoming, Bear Bash, International Education Week, MSU Basketball, MSU Baseball games and many more. 

  There is a brand new fitness center on campus equipped with basketball courts, an indoor track, racquetball courts, treadmills, weights, swimming pool and more! Membership to the Fitness Center is included in ISEP benefits, and students also receive free admission to all home athletic sporting events. 

  The Office of Student Engagement sponsors an Alternative Spring Break in March of each year. Groups of students travel to a specified location in the U.S. and participate in service for one week. Past trips have traveled to Illinois, Tennessee and other various locations. Students interested in volunteering in the local Springfield community may want to consider participating in SGA’s Alternative Spring Break, where students stay in Springfield to volunteer during their Spring Break. Service options may include helping children with homework, tutoring, sharing a meal with the homeless or assisting in an after-school program. Other opportunities to volunteer in Springfield are available to students throughout the semester.