Northwest offering in-state tuition for out-of-state students in fall 2027

Undergraduate students enrolling at Northwest Missouri State University from some of its surrounding states for the fall 2027 semester can now receive in-state tuition.

The University’s Board of Regents, during its regular session on Friday, approved a proposal to guarantee in-state tuition rates for all incoming and current undergraduate students from Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.

The In-State Guarantee enhances Northwest’s Bearcat Advantage program, which had provided in-state tuition but limited that offering to first-time freshmen or transfer students who came to Northwest with a 2.75 GPA or higher and then required them to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on campus. The In-State Guarantee program, which is renewable throughout an undergraduate student’s enrollment at Northwest’s Maryville campus, also is stackable with other Northwest scholarships and financial awards.

Students who are currently enrolled from Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas and do not receive in-state tuition rates will become eligible next fall and receive consistent access to in-state rates, which Northwest expects to improve affordability, strengthen retention and protect future tuition revenue.

“Part of what we continue to review and attempt to evolve is the recruiting of students to the University,” Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum said. “It remains our chief priority in terms of building a long-term sustainable model for the institution.”

Tatum added, “When you look at the location of our campus, the distance we are from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, it just makes sense to understand that those are major recruiting regions for us.”

In presenting the proposal to the Board, Dr. Rose Marie Ward, Northwest’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, explained the In-State Guarantee simplifies the University’s value proposition to prospective students and families, aligns with market expectations and positions Northwest more competitively in its primary recruitment territory.

Further, Ward said, Northwest’s first-time freshman enrollment remains heavily concentrated in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. Headcounts of the last four entering classes show between 94 and 96 percent of all first-time freshmen hail from the four-state region. By providing guaranteed in-state tuition rates, Northwest creates opportunities to grow its enrollment of students from the bordering states.

Plans outlined for Colden Pond, park improvements

Regents approved a resolution authorizing Northwest to apply for grant funding from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Land and Water Conservation Fund program to assist with plans for a redeveloped Colden Park.

The proposed project would enhance the recreational, educational and social spaces to the campus grounds surrounding Colden Pond, including a rehabilitation of the Peace Pavilion and Kissing Bridge at the northwest side of the pond. The proposal also calls for picnic areas, an outdoor learning space and expanded walking trails with a boardwalk and gazebo extending over the pond.

In his presentation to the Board, Scott Kuhlemeyer, Northwest’s interim assistant vice president of facility services, said the improvements are intended to enhance the area’s accessibility, functionality and overall appeal while providing more opportunities for recreation, outdoor learning and community engagement.

The total budget for the project is estimated at $980,000, with the Land and Water Conservation Fund, if the grant is successful, paying about 50 percent of the cost.

The grant could be awarded as soon as the fall of 2027, and work could begin during FY29.

In other business

The Board approved the appointments of nine new adjunct faculty for the remainder of the 2026-27 academic year. Ward explained the new adjunct faculty are needed to replace a mix of instructors who have departed the University unexpectedly as well as to teach dual credit courses.

Regents also approved a policy for awarding posthumous degrees that moves oversight of that process from the Office of Student Affairs to academic affairs offices under Ward’s supervision while updating and formalizing past practices at Northwest.

Kevin Cagg, Northwest’s assistant vice president of information technology, provided the Board with an annual update about Northwest’s cybersecurity practices, as required by federal law. While ransomware remains a leading cybersecurity threat, Cagg said the University has enhanced its security measures during the last year by implementing additional protection and detection tools, in addition to educating the campus community about threats.

Vice President of Culture Krista Barcus and Stacy Carrick, Northwest’s vice president of finance and administration, provided regents with an update about Northwest’s implementation of its Workday platform.

Carrick also recognized staff members involved in the University’s infrastructure modernization project, which began in 2024 and is nearing completion this winter.

Friday’s Board of Regents meeting was its first in the Administration Building Boardroom, a new space on the historic structure’s remodeled third floor that replaces the governing board’s traditional meeting space in the J.W. Jones Student Union.

The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and for determining general, educational and financial policies.