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Southern Missouri Technical Institute
West Plains, Missouri · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 407 W. Thornburgh, West Plains, MO 65775 · Phone: (417) 256-2256 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Missouri Technical Institute is a public trade school in West Plains, Missouri, offering LPN, surgical technologist, and welding programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Southern Missouri Technical Institute has an 82.9% completion rate, above the Missouri state average of 69.3%, and graduates earn a median of $31,460 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Southern Missouri Technical Institute is $28,913, federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 60.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,580 | $61,530 | $70,230 |
| Surgical technologists | $44,930 | $61,120 | $68,410 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,200 | $51,950 | $61,660 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,950 | $49,160 | $63,240 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | $27,712 | not reported | $8,871 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | 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
Southern Missouri Technical Institute is a public trade and career-training campus in West Plains, Missouri, located in a remote town setting. The school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and, for its nursing program, the Missouri State Board of Nursing, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for enrollment. Its most-awarded programs are LPN/LVN programs, surgical technologist programs, and welding schools, with auto mechanic programs also offered across four total program families.
Federally reported outcomes show a completion rate of 82.9%, above the Missouri state average of 69.3%. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $31,460. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $28,913, and 60.0% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting a large share of the roughly 90 undergraduates rely on need-based aid.
With 45 trade completers reported and programs concentrated in short-cycle clinical and technical fields like LPN, surgical technology, and welding, this campus may suit students seeking focused, program-specific training rather than a multi-year degree, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Career changers should confirm scheduling, format, and licensing requirements directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and review the underlying federal outcomes data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Missouri Technical Institute offers LPN/LVN programs, surgical technologist programs, welding schools, and auto mechanic programs, four program families in total. The largest programs by completers are LPN/LVN (23), surgical technologist (14), and welding (5).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, with its nursing program also recognized by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 82.9%, which is above the Missouri state average of 69.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (417) 256-2256 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $31,460 per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is listed at $28,913.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which can affect tuition levels, eligibility for state funding, and program pricing compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (417) 256-2256 or via its website for program duration details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education or Missouri State Board of Nursing, and review federal outcomes data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?417637.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers focused clinical and technical programs such as LPN, surgical technology, and welding, which may suit career changers, though specific scheduling or format details for adult learners are not reported in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southern Missouri Technical Institute at (417) 256-2256 or visit its website at https://www.zizzers.org/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard link for outcomes at similar institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Missouri
- Missouri State University-West PlainsWest Plains, MO · 41% 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.