Truman State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Truman State University · Kirksville, Missouri · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Test-optional
- —
- Applicants
- 2,415
- Admitted84%
- 626
- Enrolled
- 26%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access84% admittedRanked #138 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges; Business Programs #345 (tie), Computer Science #502 (tie), Nursing #336 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Truman State University (see the source).
Is Truman State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Truman State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Truman State is a public university in Kirksville, Missouri that admits about 84% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $12,780 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. For the most recent reporting cycle, Truman State admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 84%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1320 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,780 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Truman State?
70% of enrolled students at Truman State had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
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What does Truman State weight in admissions?
Truman State reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
1- Academic GPA
Important
2- Class rank
- Application essay
Considered
3- Recommendations
- Talent/ability
- State residency
Not Considered
7- Interview
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
SAT and ACT scores Truman State typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 602. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1250 |
| 50th percentile | 1320 |
| 75th percentile | 1370 |
| % submitting SAT | 7% |
| 25th percentile | 25 |
| 50th percentile | 27 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 80% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional only with a 3.0+ GPA; scores required below 3.0 and for competitive scholarships (e.g. Pershing, Kirk).
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Truman State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Truman State actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,838 for in-state students and $18,566 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,128 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,780 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,780 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Truman State
The most popular undergraduate programs at Truman State, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. Across all programs, Truman State confers roughly 535 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $74,688 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 96 | $74,688 |
| Biology, General | 79 | $53,239 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 78 | $57,756 |
| Psychology, General | 76 | $47,956 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 62 | $74,434 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 50 | $67,277 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 48 | $43,125 |
| Public Health | 46 | n/a |
Is Truman State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Truman State disclosed 11 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Truman State
Common questions parents ask about Truman State
What GPA do I need for Truman State?
70% of enrolled students at Truman State had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Truman State typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 602. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31.
How much does Truman State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Truman State after grants and scholarships is $12,780 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,838 and $18,566 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Truman State realistic for my child?
Truman State admits 84% of applicants, so 570–670 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $12,780 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Truman State?
Truman State accepts about 84% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Truman State test-optional?
Yes. Truman State is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. Test-optional only with a 3.0+ GPA; scores required below 3.0 and for competitive scholarships (e.g. Pershing, Kirk).
What does Truman State look for in applicants?
Truman State rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Truman State a public or private school, and where is it located?
Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri.
What are the most popular majors at Truman State?
The largest undergraduate majors at Truman State by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Biology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. The school awards about 535 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Truman State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Truman State reported 11 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Truman State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers