In 1937 Joplin Junior College opened its doors as an extension of the University of Missouri. The name eventually changed to Missouri Southern State College, then became a university in 2003. About 5,600 undergraduates are enrolled in MSSU, coming from 37 different states and 26 countries. MSSU offers more than 100 different degree paths for students, including computer forensics, theater and sociology. This college, situated on 373 acres, has an average class size of 24 students. MSSU also has a few graduate programs in collaboration with other universities, including master's degrees in teaching, business administration, history and nursing. For in-state students, MSSU costs just less than $5,000 per year, while out-of-state costs are just more than $9,000 per year.
Missouri Southern State University
3950 E. Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801
1-888-818-6778
Mssu.edu
Ozark Christian College provides a place of higher education for people involved in their faith but also welcomes students of any faith denomination. The college began as Ozark Bible College in 1942 in Bentonville, Ark., then moved to Joplin in 1944. In 1985 the school changed its name to Ozark Christian College. In 2008 the student body of OCC consisted of 621 undergraduate students. The college offers programs to train future Christian leaders as well as co-op degrees with Missouri Southern State University. Students can major in fields such as business, nursing, music and Bible studies. Costs for the 2009/2010 school year, including tuition, room and board, totaled $5,905 per semester.
Ozark Christian College
1111 North Main St.
Joplin, MO 64801
417-626-1234
Occ.edu
Messenger College is the result of two Pentecostal colleges merging and reforming in Joplin in 1987. The school, with a student population of about 100 undergraduates, offers education and training in church-related fields of study. Degree options include pastoral studies, general studies, religious education and theology. Class sizes in the school tend to be small, with a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1. Tuition at Messenger College is about $6,400 for both in-state and out-of-state students. In total, students can expect to spend around $18,000 for tuition, room and board, books and fees.
Messenger College
300 E. 50th St.
Joplin, MO 64804
417-624-7070
Messengercollege.edu