Missouri State University

Missouri State University
Former names
Fourth District Normal School (1905–1919)
Southwest Missouri State Teachers College (1919–1945)
Southwest Missouri State College (1945–1972)
Southwest Missouri State University (1972–2005)
TypePublic university
Established1905 (1905)
Academic affiliation
CUMU
Endowment$193 million
PresidentRichard "Biff" Williams
ProvostJohn Jasinski
Academic staff
1,124
Administrative staff
1,350
Students23,418
Location, ,
United States

37°11′59″N 93°16′51″W / 37.19971°N 93.28079°W / 37.19971; -93.28079
CampusUrban, 225 acres (91.1 ha)
ColorsMaroon and White
   
NicknamesBears and Lady Bears (women's basketball only)
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I(CUSA in 2025)
MascotBoomer Bear
Websitemissouristate.edu

Missouri State University (MSU or MO State), formerly Southwest Missouri State University, is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, it is the state's second-largest university by enrollment, with an enrollment of 23,418 in the fall semester of 2023. The school also offers associate degree programs at two-year campus in West Plains, Missouri and a bachelor's degree in business program at Liaoning Normal University in China. The university operates a fruit research station in Mountain Grove, Missouri and a Department of Defense and Strategic Studies program in Fairfax, Virginia.