“Missouri's premier public liberal arts university — nationally ranked #1 public regional Midwest for 29 consecutive years.”
Truman State University is Missouri's only designated public liberal arts and sciences university, and for 29 consecutive years it has earned the #1 ranking among public regional universities in the Midwest from U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1867 and named for President Harry S. Truman — a proud Missouri native — Truman offers an unusually strong liberal arts education at public university tuition rates. With an enrollment of approximately 3,700 students, the university maintains a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio that rivals many private liberal arts colleges, ensuring personalized attention and robust mentorship. The campus spans 210 acres in Kirksville, a classic Midwest college town in northeast Missouri, approximately 180 miles from both St. Louis and Kansas City. Truman's academic strength centers on its signature commitment to undergraduate research, civic engagement, and career preparation across a broad curriculum. The School of Business holds AACSB accreditation — a distinction earned by only 5% of business schools worldwide — and the university's nursing, psychology, biology, computer science, and pre-professional programs consistently place graduates in competitive graduate and professional schools. Nearly 60% of Truman seniors graduate without federal student loan debt, reflecting the affordable tuition and a generous scholarship program through which approximately 85% of new international students receive financial assistance. Truman's international student body numbers over 240 students from more than 40 countries, supported by a dedicated Center for International Students. Students at Truman enjoy an active campus community anchored by more than 200 clubs and organizations, NCAA Division II Bulldog athletics in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and a full calendar of campus traditions. The campus has benefited from significant investment in facilities including modern science labs and a performing arts center. Kirksville's tight-knit college-town setting means students are genuinely known on campus, while the mid-Missouri region offers outdoor recreation and cultural events. Career outcomes are strong: the College Scorecard reports median earnings of $56,280 ten years after enrollment, and Truman consistently produces Fulbright Scholars, medical school attendees, and law school graduates at rates that exceed expectations for a regional public university.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities Midwest
US News 2026
Top Public Schools — Regional Universities Midwest
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceScholarship Priority
Apply by Dec 1 for fullest scholarship consideration
Rolling Admission
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis year-round; apply early for best aid
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$10,220
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$19,289
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
AACSB-accredited — a distinction held by only 5% of business schools worldwide — offering accounting, finance, marketing, and management programs.
Houses the nationally recognized nursing program and education programs with extensive clinical placements and student-teaching experiences.
Offers programs in English, communication, music, art, and theater, fostering creative and critical expression within a liberal arts context.
Strong pre-professional preparation in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, with extensive undergraduate research opportunities.
Covers psychology, sociology, history, political science, philosophy, and linguistics within Truman's interdisciplinary liberal arts framework.
4 years
One of few public regional universities with full AACSB business accreditation — a signal of rigor that prepares graduates for competitive careers and top MBA programs.
4 years
High-demand program with strong clinical placements across the region. Note: nursing applicants are required to submit standardized test scores.
4 years
Growing tech program with STEM OPT eligibility, strong math foundations, and expanding industry connections in the St. Louis and Kansas City technology markets.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $18,566
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
