Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with 6,588 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $9,496 compared with a Missouri nursing-school average of $17,892. The school reports a graduation rate of 55.7%, median earnings of $44,030, and median federal debt of $21,500.
$9,496 is lower than the state average of $17,892.
55.7% is lower than the state average of 55.8%.
$44,030 is higher than the state average of $43,112.
About Southeast Missouri State University
| Location | Cape Girardeau, Missouri |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.semo.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $9,496 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $9,496 |
| Total Enrollment | 6,588 |
| Acceptance Rate | 78.5% |
| Graduation Rate | 55.7% |
| Retention Rate | 75.8% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $44,030 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $227 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 29.4% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 34.5% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.5 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
29.4% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 34.5% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Southeast Missouri State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $37,984, while the reported median debt is $21,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $227. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (75.0%), followed by Black students (8.5%) and Hispanic students (3.2%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($44,030) divided by median debt ($21,500)