Over the Course of a Lifetime,
- Students with a bachelor’s degree or higher earn $1 million more than those with a high school diploma.*
- Students with a two-year degree earn $300,000 more than those with a high school diploma.*
What are Your Plans after High School?
College is affordable
- For those who qualify based on income, federal Pell grants can pay for all or part of student fees.
- Students who qualify for the Missouri A+ program may attend a public, two-year college in Missouri, including Missouri State-West Plains, tuition-free.
- 86 percent of degree-seeking students at Missouri State-West Plains receive some form of financial aid.
College is achievable
- Students can start out part time or full time at an open-admission, two-year college.
- Classes at two-year colleges are smaller and are taught by dedicated faculty.
- One-on-one attention and a supportive learning environment characterize the atmosphere at these institutions.
- Missouri State-West Plains provides unlimited free tutoring and academic counseling for every student.
College is appropriate
- Every dollar and hour spent on education provides one of the best possible returns on investment.
- Alumni of two-year schools in the Ozarks include doctors, lawyers, ministers, pharmacists, nurses, teachers and business owners.
- Graduates of two-year schools can put associate’s degrees to immediate use in the marketplace, or transfer to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Transfer Program
- The AA degree allows students to complete general education requirements for virtually any bachelor’s degree before transferring to a four-year college or university.
- Missouri State’s Missouri State Outreach program offers bachelor’s degrees in agriculture, business, child and family development, elementary education, nursing and technology management at the West Plains Campus.
Career Programs
- The AAS and AS degrees allow students to immediately enter the workforce after graduation.
- Graduates of career programs could find employment in the careers listed below:**
- In south-central Missouri, the average annual salary for a computer support specialist was $29,774, and the average annual salary for a database administrator was $33,858.
- Police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Missouri earned an average annual salary of $37,840. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the south-central Missouri region earned an average salary of $27,109.
- Respiratory therapists in Missouri earned an average annual salary of $45,200.
- Registered nurses in Missouri earned an average annual salary of $54,710, with an entry-level salary of $40,470. Registered nurses in the south-central Missouri region earned an average salary of $48,448, with an entry-level salary of $34,191.
Invest in Your Future Today
Register for a Red Carpet Day to find out more about how Missouri State-West Plains can get you well on your way to an exciting career! Upcoming Red Carpet Days.
Apply for admission and financial aid as soon as possible during your senior year.
To register for a Red Carpet Day or start the admission and financial aid process, talk to your high school counselor or contact the Admissions Office toll free at 1-888-466-7897.
*Source: College Board: Education Pays 2007
**May 2007 data, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center Web site