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Missouri State University-West Plains
West Plains, Missouri · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 128 Garfield Avenue, West Plains, MO 65775 · Phone: (417) 255-7255 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Jun 2024 · Probation · Higher Learning Commission; Jun 2026 · Accreditation Reaffirmed: Probation Removed. 3 sanction actions in the window.
Missouri State University-West Plains is a public trade and career school in West Plains, Missouri, offering medical billing & coding, culinary, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Missouri State University-West Plains has a 40.6% completion rate, below the state average of 69.3%, with median graduate debt of $10,000 and median earnings of $36,922 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; the school does participate in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), and about 29.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical records specialists | $38,880 | $50,750 | $63,150 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $39,650 | $64,480 | $76,520 |
| Medical assistants | $35,810 | $40,440 | $46,600 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Missouri (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Missouri State University-West Plains is a public campus located in West Plains, Missouri, in a remote town setting. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with nursing-related programs also recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here (Title IV eligible). Among its trade and career offerings, the campus most commonly awards credentials in medical billing & coding programs, culinary & pastry schools, and medical assistant programs, with medical billing & coding making up the largest share at 17 completions.
Federal data show a completion rate of 40.6%, which is below the state average of 69.3%. Median debt for graduates is $10,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,922. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 29.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of financially eligible students.
This campus may suit students pursuing shorter, career-focused credentials in healthcare administration or culinary fields rather than lengthy degree programs, though specific program lengths are not detailed in the available data. Adults considering a career change should independently confirm program length, schedule, and cost by contacting the school directly. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting the school's accrediting bodies listed above.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The campus offers medical billing & coding programs (17 completions), culinary & pastry schools (3), and medical assistant programs (2), totaling 4 program families.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional nursing-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grant funding.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 40.6%, which is below the Missouri state average of 69.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $10,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,922, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition costs and eligibility for state-based funding compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the available data; contact the school at (417) 255-7255 or visit https://wp.missouristate.edu/ for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status through the Higher Learning Commission and outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?179344.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of shorter career-focused programs like medical billing & coding and medical assistant training may suit career changers, but specific scheduling and format details are not reported in the data; contact the school to confirm fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (417) 255-7255 or visit their website at https://wp.missouristate.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?179344 to compare campuses directly.
Nearby trade and career schools in Missouri
- Southern Missouri Technical InstituteWest Plains, MO · 83% completion
- Brink Engineering Solutions (MV)Mount Vernon, MO
- CTDI inc. Willow Springs, MO.Willow Springs, MO
- Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, MORepublic, MO
- Niangua R5 SchoolsNiangua, MO
- Thayer R-ll schoolThayer, MO
- Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfield, MO · college
- State Technical College of MissouriLinn, MO · 84% completion
See all trade and career schools in Missouri or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.