Missouri State University (MSU), located just 30 minutes north of Branson, is Missouri's second largest University with 19,000 students from nearly every state and 80 other countries. It was founded in Springfield, Missouri in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School. It's main purpose in those days, was preparing people to become teachers for the regional public school system. Today, there are 150 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate programs. The average ACT score, at this university, is above the national average. The campus is teaming with young, well-rounded, open-minded individuals, that you can usually find relaxing in Downtown Historic Springfield located only a block or two away. MSU is home to the Bears who frequently play at Plaster Sports Complex, on campus, and there's always a performance, whether musical or theatrical to see at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
There are coffee houses, art galleries, formal dining, neighborhood bars and grills, and a wide variety of retail stores for the students and community to enjoy, all downtown. The campus itself is well groomed, well maintained, and graced by two water fountains. There are wide sidewalks, a multitude of crosswalks, and security guards buzzing around in their golf carts to ensure the safety of the students, the university, and the community.
