If you ask our students why they chose Missouri Western State University, you will get a hundred different answers. While we could never keep up with all of those great reasons, we have compiled a few points that we hear over and over again:

• Just the right size - Western is a medium size university with about 5,200 students that sits on 744 acres of land. Big enough to offer a 25 acre biology research area, 2.2 mile walking trail, 9 ponds, and lots of additional room to roam. Small enough that you will always see your classmates around campus and at social activities. Learn more About Western.

• Get to know professors on a personal basis - With an average class size of around 25 students, your professor will know you by first name, not just another number.

• Internships, practicums, and applied learning - Western has been designated as the "Applied Learning University" for the state of Missouri. Around 80% of last year's graduates had some type of applied learning experience, such as an internship, practicum, or undergraduate research project. Learn more about Applied Learning.

• Undergraduate Research - Unlike larger universities, at Western, you will have an opportunity to participate in research with your professors as an undergraduate; a privilege typically reserved for graduate students only. Learn more about Undergraduate Research.

• No graduate students teaching classes - At Western, only professors teach all of our classes. Over 80% of these professors have the highest degree attainable in their field (also known as the terminal degree).

• Learning communities - At Western, you will have the opportunity to participate in learning communities that allow you to take 2-3 classes with the exact same students in every class. Each learning community is geared toward a specific career path. This allows you to form study groups and make new friends that are interested in the same career you are. Learn more about Learning Communities.

• Lots of great opportunities - At Western, students have a wealth of opportunities at their finger tips. Students can study abroad at world-wide destinations; do DNA research in our on-campus labs; or, listen to nationally renowned speakers, such as Colin Powell or Steve Forbes. Read more about these opportunities at our Points of Pride website.

• Saint Joseph, Missouri - Unlike many universities similar in size, Western is located in a beautiful city of around 75,000 people. Saint Joseph has all of the amenities of a large city, but still retains that small-town charm. Learn more about what there is to do in Saint Joseph.