Last Updated: October 11, 2021
Missouri - Show Me State
Missouri is situated in the midwestern region of the United States and has an estimated population of over 6 million. It is bordered by the states of Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. The state was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Chickasaw, Illini, Missouri, and Osage. In fact, the state got its name from a specific category of the Sioux tribe who were called the 'Missouris'. The word translates to "wooden canoe people". Missouri received its statehood in the year 1821, making it the 24th state of the United States. Jefferson City is the state's capital, and the largest city of Missouri is Kansas City. Missouri experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and chilly winters.
Major Cities in Missouri
Kansas City
With a population of over 508,000, Kansas City is the biggest city in Missouri. The city is popular for its food, jazz music, and vibrant community. It is also home to several institutions of higher learning such as the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Rockhurst University, Avila University, and so on. Kansas City is also a major economic hub and was once known for its strong trade and livestock industries. The National World War I Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City Zoo, Worlds of Fun, and so on, are some of the top attractions in this city.
St. Louis
St. Louis has an estimated population of around 302,000 which makes it the second-largest city in Missouri. It was founded in 1764 by Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent and was established as a city in 1822. It was popularly known to be a major center for the fur trade. The city is home to some of the best post-secondary institutions such as Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St Louis, St Louis College of Pharmacy, and so on. The Gateway Arch is the most popular destination here which is also why the city has the popular nickname "Gateway to the West".
Springfield
The estimated population of Springfield is more than 169,000 making it the third-biggest city in the state of Missouri. It was founded in 1834 and was incorporated as a city in 1838. Springfield has got several nicknames including "Queen City of the Ozarks", "The Battle of Wilson's Creek," and "Birthplace of Route 66". Major universities like the Missouri State University-Springfield and Drury University are situated in this city. Popular attractions include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Fantastic Caverns, and Route 66 Car Museum.
Economy/Job Market
- Major industries in Missouri are agriculture, aerospace, transportation equipment, chemicals, financial services, electrical equipment, publishing and printing, and manufacturing.
- Missouri is also the top producer of lead in the United States, followed by lime.
- Some of the largest companies in Missouri (based on the number of employees hired) are Ascension Health Alliance, Enterprise Holdings, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Emerson Electric, Anheuser-Busch, Kellwood Company, BJC HealthCare, and Express Scripts.
- The state is slowly recovering from the setbacks caused by the covid-19 pandemic, which is visible through the declining unemployment rate.
- The unemployment rate was 4.0% in August 2021, which is lower than the national average of 5.2%.
- Major sectors contributing to the state's current economic growth are education and health services, trade, business and finance, government services, and manufacturing.
Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Missouri
The cost of living in Missouri is cheaper when compared to the national average. Housing costs are the cheapest, followed by transportation costs. In terms of affordability, the best cities to live in Missouri are Richmond, Trenton, Bonne Terre, Webb City, and St. Ann. Some of the most expensive cities in the state are University City, Sunset Hills, Weldon Spring, and St. Robert.
The cost of education is moderate to low in public schools for in-state students but is more expensive for out-of-state students. Some of the top private institutes have tuition costs higher than the national average such as Washington University in St Louis, which charges a tuition fee of about $59,000.
List of Few Major Universities/Colleges
There are several renowned educational institutes of higher learning in Missouri that attract students from all over the country and across the globe. Some of the top universities/colleges in this state are:
- Washington University in St Louis Situated in the city of Saint Louis, this is a prestigious institution of higher learning in this state. It was established on February 22, 1853, and was named after America's founding father, George Washington. With about 18,000 students and about 4,000 teachers, the student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1. It is popularly known for its exceptional academic quality and student diversity. The university ranks #14 nationally according to USNews, in the 2022 edition. The tuition fee for all undergraduate students is about $59,000.
- Missouri University of Science and Technology This is a popular public university located in Rolla. It was established in 1870 and was originally known as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. The university is known for its high-quality research, excellent faculty members, and spirited campus life. With over 9,000 students and about 400 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. There are more than 100 academic programs offered here, and the most popular majors are Engineering and Information Science. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $12,000 and around $32,000 for out-of-state students.
- University of Missouri-Columbia The University of Missouri-Columbia is a reputed public university situated in the city of Columbia. The university is reputed for its high educational quality, stellar faculty, and student diversity. With approximately 34,000 students and roughly 2,000 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The university offers more than 300-degree programs, and the popular majors include Minority and Ethnic Studies, Business, Journalism, and Psychology. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $12,000 and roughly $31,000 for out-of-state students.
- University of Missouri-Kansas City Located in the largest city of Missouri, Kansas City, this is a prestigious public institute. It was founded in 1933 and is known for its rich academic quality, excellent teachers, and high-quality research. The university has over 19,000 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. With over 125 areas of study, some of the most sought-after majors are Biology, Nursing, Health Service Preparatory Studies, and Business. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $12,000 and around $29,000 for out-of-state students.
Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students
The scholarships and grants for the students of Missouri are under the authority of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. All students should also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before applying for financial aid.
- A+ Scholarship Program: This is a scholarship program for A+ designated high school graduates of Missouri. To be eligible for the program, the student must be a legal resident of Missouri, attend an A+ designated high school two years before graduation, have an overall 95% attendance from grades 9 to 12, and secure a minimum score of 2.50 GPA in high school.
The candidate is also required to demonstrate financial need, submit the FAFSA, and enroll at a public/private community college or vocational/technical school on a full-time basis (minimum 12 credit hours and 6 credit hours for disabled students). Students pursuing a degree in theology or divinity will not be qualified. The maximum award amount will be $189 per credit hour.
- Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program: Administered by the Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee, this is a program that helps students belonging to a minority group to pursue their post-secondary education. To be eligible for the program, the student must pursue a degree in a field related to environmental studies (bachelor's or master's) and belong to any one of the minority communities, namely, African Americans, Hispanic or Latino Americans, Native Americans, or Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
The students are also required to be legal residents of Missouri, enroll at an accredited post-secondary institution on a full-time basis, maintain a score of 3.0 GPA while in high school, submit the highest ACT/SAT scores, and a score of 2.5 GPA in college. The award amount varies each year.
- Bright Flight Program (Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship):
The Bright Flight Scholarship is a merit-based program scholarship for the high school graduates of Missouri. To be qualified, the student must be a legal resident of Missouri and have an ACT/SAT score in the top 3 percent or top 4th or 5th percentiles of all Missouri high school students taking the test.
The student must also plan to pursue a degree from an accredited post-secondary institution on a full-time basis, and secure and maintain a minimum score of 2.5 GPA. The award amount will be decided by the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE), and vary based on the scores obtained by the student. The amount may range from $1,000 to $3,000.
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program: This is a scholarship program based on financial need. To be qualified for the program, the student must demonstrate economic need, be a permanent resident of Missouri, and pursue an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution on a full-time basis (minimum 12 credit hours and 6 credit hours for disabled students).
The student must also secure and maintain a minimum score of 2.5 GPA in college. Students pursuing a degree in theology or divinity will not be qualified. Students from 2-year public institutes will receive an amount ranging from $300 to $1,300. Students from a 4-year institution will receive an amount ranging from $1,500 to $2,850.
Tourism
There is no concrete reason as to why Missouri is called the "Show Me State". However, the state has a lot to offer for tourists to see and is a great place for vacations. Popular places in this state are the Gateway Arch, Saint Louis Zoo, Silver Dollar City, Forest Park, Lake of the Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and several others. Missouri experiences a hot and humid climate and visiting the state during summers can be an uncomfortable experience. It will be ideal to visit Missouri during the Fall season to relish the colors of nature and explore the state comfortably. Popular foods include Burnt Ends, Gooey Butter Cake, St. Louis-Style Pizza, Charcuterie, Bucatini All’ Amatriciana, and a lot more.
Universities & Colleges in Missouri
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)
