Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University Student Enrollment Information
Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University is a 4-year public school that offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Read about the pros and cons of the school, plus ranking, tuition and admission information.
Should You Attend Southeast Missouri State University?
Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on the Mississippi river. A respected state university, SMSU awards undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees. Weigh the facts below to find out if Southeast Missouri State University is the school for you.
Pros
- Accepts dual credit and advanced placement credit
- Offers remedial services, academic/career counseling service, employment services, placement services and day care on-campus for the children of students
- Acceptance rate is 33.2 percentage points higher than the national average
- Student debt following graduation is $3,243 lower than the national average
- High number of academic programs
Cons
- Student-faculty ratio is 22:1 which is higher than the national average of 16:1
- Graduation rate is 16 percentage points lower than the national average
- Total cost (including tuition and living expenses) is $884 higher than the national average for 4-year public schools
Ranking & School Analysis
Southeast Missouri State University is a public school with approximately 12,000 students. If you are applying to SMSU you can relax a little knowing they admit 97% of applicants, according to the College Board. This statistic is well above the national average. However, the graduation rate for students seeking a bachelor's degree is 24%. This is 16 percentage points below the national average of 40%.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports debt following graduation was $23,417, which is $3,243 less than the national average of $26,660 in 2011. Southeast Missouri State University offers you over 200 areas of study. From accounting to theatre, you are sure to find the area of study you are seeking. There are also pre-law, pre-dental and pre-pharmacy programs. SMSU's student to teacher ratio is 22:1, which is well above the national average of 16:1.
U.S. News and World Report ranks Southeast Missouri State University #80 for regional universities in the Midwest and #26 of the list of Top Public Schools.
Admissions and Financial Aid at Southeast Missouri State University
For regular admission to Southeast Missouri State University, the school considers your ACT or SAT scores, high school GPA, class rank and high school curriculum. You must submit an Application for Admission and Merit-Involvement Scholarships together with a non-refundable fee. Necessary forms are downloadable from the university's website. Acceptance does not necessarily guarantee admission to specific courses or programs, which might have individual prerequisites. Incoming freshman are required to attend a 1-day orientation program called FirstSTEP.
When applying for admission you should also fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This downloadable form is available online and is used to determine if you qualify for aid. Federal aid is available in the way of loans, work-study programs and grants. Private and sponsored scholarships with specific criteria are also available. State and university scholarships include Southeast Family Achievement Awards, Governor's Scholarships, President's PLUS Scholarships and Foundation Leadership Awards. Others include Southeast A+ Scholarships, Missouri Aid Program, Missouri Saving for Tuition (MOST) School Program, Environmental Education Scholarship Program and Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program. Financial relief is also available in the form of tax incentives and the university's textbook rental program.
| Application & Tuition Info | |
|---|---|
| Regular School Application Deadline (2013-2014) | June 1st* |
| Financial Aid Priority Application Due (2013-2014) | March 1st* |
| Application Fee (2011-2012) | $30* |
| Acceptance Rate (2011-2012) | 97%* |
| All Tuition & Living Expenses (2011-2012) | $ 18,744 for residents, $23,979 for non-residents*** |
| Average Financial Aid Package (2011-2012) | $8,153* |
| Percentage of Students with Need Met | 14.8%**** |
| Average Student Debt at Graduation | $23,417**** |
| Student Loan Default Rate (2009) | 9.7%*** |
Life at Southeast Missouri State University
Located on the Mississippi river, Southeast Missouri State University offers you a variety of activities around town. The Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, which takes up the university's entire second campus in downtown Cape Girardeau, is the only complex in the state to house theatre, dance, music and art under one roof. With over 120 restaurants and 85 retailers you can shop, eat and explore.
Southeast Missouri State University offers over 150 clubs and student organizations. Whether you have a special interest, excel at academics or want to discover something new; there is sure to be a club for you. SMSU also offers family weekend so your family can visit and explore the campus and be entertained. If you enjoy the outdoors, the outdoor resource center provides ways for you to experience the environment around you.
SMSU also offers you the opportunity to play on their NCCA Division I sports teams. If you're seeking the Greek Life experience there are 18 national fraternities and sororities affiliated with the school.
| Student Life Info | |
|---|---|
| Campus Setting | Large town* |
| Student Population (2011) | 10,973 undergraduate (enrollment and transfer-in enrollment), 1,124 graduate students*** |
| Male-to-Female Student Ratio | 42% to 58%*** |
| % of Full-Time Students | 78%*** |
| % of In-State Students | 81%*** |
| % of International Students | 3%*** |
| Retention Rate | 74%* |
| Campus Housing Available | Yes*** |
| % of Students Living On Campus | 30%* |
| Number of Libraries | 1** |
| Extracurricular Activities | More than 150 student clubs** |
Article sources: *College Board, **Southeast Missouri State University, ***NCES College Navigator, ****US News and World Report.
School Contact Information
- Address: MS 3550, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
- Phone Number: (573) 651-2590
