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Truman State University

Kirksville, MO

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

1867
Founded
Public liberal arts university
Type
2,666
Total Students
3,302
Undergrad
334
Graduate
$68M
Endowment
(2021)
$9K
Tuition (In-State)
$18K
Tuition (Out-State)
$12K
Avg Net Price
80%
Acceptance Rate
68%
Graduation Rate
6-year
84%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification
President: Susan L. Thomas

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Truman State University

Missouri's premier public liberal arts university, fostering intellectual growth and career success.

Truman State University stands as Missouri's only statewide public liberal arts and sciences institution, offering a distinctive educational experience rooted in its rich history and commitment to academic excellence. Founded in 1867 by education pioneer Joseph Baldwin as a normal school, Truman has continuously evolved, transitioning from a teacher-training college to a comprehensive university with a broadened, statewide liberal arts mission. This transformation culminated in 1996 with its renaming to Truman State University, solidifying its identity as a beacon of interdisciplinary learning.

Today, Truman is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, organized within three dynamic schools: Arts and Humanities, Science and Mathematics, and Business and Professional Studies. Students can explore a wide array of fields, from unique interdisciplinary degrees like mathematical biology—the only undergraduate program of its kind in Missouri—to a highly-regarded Business Administration program with AACSB accreditation. The university takes pride in its Accounting graduate program, which boasts a national ranking for CPA passage rates, preparing students for successful professional careers.

Beyond the classroom, Truman fosters a vibrant student experience. The historic Quad, once a lake, now serves as a lively hub for study, events, and social gatherings, embodying the close-knit community spirit. With a total enrollment of 3,636 students, Truman offers a focused learning environment where intellectual curiosity and critical thinking are paramount.

Prospective students and families will find an institution dedicated to a holistic education, preparing graduates not just for jobs, but for impactful lives through its comprehensive liberal arts and sciences curriculum.

Key Highlights

  • Designated Missouri's only statewide public liberal arts and sciences university since 1985.
  • Ranked 5th among Midwest Regional Universities by U.S. News & World Report (2024).
  • Ranked No. 12 among master's universities nationwide by Washington Monthly (2024).
  • AACSB accredited Business program, with the MAcc program ranked 3rd nationally for CPA passage rates.
  • Offers Missouri's only undergraduate interdisciplinary degree program in Mathematical Biology.
  • Manages an endowment of $0.1 billion, supporting academic and institutional growth.
  • Total student enrollment of 3,636, fostering a close-knit and engaging academic community.

Timeline

1867
Founded by Joseph Baldwin as the "North Missouri Normal School and Commercial College".
1870
Designated as the "First District Normal School," Missouri's first public teachers' college.
1919
Renamed "Northeast Missouri State Teachers College".
1924
Old Baldwin Hall and the library destroyed by fire.
1968
Renamed "Northeast Missouri State College".
1972
Renamed "Northeast Missouri State University" (NMSU).
1985
Designated as Missouri's only statewide public liberal arts and sciences university.
1996
Renamed "Truman State University," becoming official on July 1.
🏛️
159 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within Truman State University

🎭

School of Arts and Humanities

Houses departments like Art and Design, Communication and Theatre Arts, English, Languages and Linguistics, Music, and Social Sciences and Human Inquiry, offering degrees in fields such as Classics, Criminal Justice Studies, History, and Political Science.

🔬

School of Science and Mathematics

Includes departments of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Computer and Data Sciences, Health Science, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, providing degrees in areas like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computer Science, Data Science, and Physics, along with Missouri's only undergraduate mathematical biology program.

💼

School of Business and Professional Studies

Home to departments including Business and Economics, Communication Disorders, Education, Exercise Science, Military Science, Nursing, and Psychology and Counseling, offering AACSB accredited Business Administration and Accounting degrees, alongside graduate programs in Athletic Training, Counseling, and Disability Studies.

Leadership

Susan L. Thomas
President
Tim Walston
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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