Missouri Southern State University (MSSU)

Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is a public regional university located in Joplin, Missouri. Founded in 1937 as Joplin Junior College, it later became Missouri Southern State College and achieved university status as Missouri Southern State University. The institution offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs, select master's degrees, and professional and pre-professional programs across business, education, health sciences, liberal arts, and STEM fields. MSSU is known for its strong emphasis on international education and affordable access to higher education in the four-state region of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The university's campus spans approximately 373 acres in Joplin and features a mix of academic, residential, and athletic facilities. MSSU is home to the George A. Spiva Library, modern science and nursing labs, residence halls, dining facilities, and the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The Missouri Southern Lions compete in NCAA Division II as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). With an enrollment of around 4,000 to 5,000 students, MSSU provides a student-centered learning environment with small class sizes and strong community connections.