About Truman State University

Our People

Campus

Rankings and Recognition

Kirksville

Traditions

History

Outcomes

Accreditation

Who We Are

Where to begin? Truman attracts high-achieving, curious students who want a challenging and balanced education. Here, your professors will know you by name, perspectives from across the world will bring new ideas to the table, and your classes will center around hands-on, experiential learning. Not to mention a beautiful tree-lined campus, countless student organizations, and classic midwestern hospitality.

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Our People

Our community is made up of exemplary leadership, inspiring faculty, driven students, empowered alumni, and supportive staff.

Truman

Our Town

Nestled in northeast Missouri, within easy driving distance of several major cities, Kirksville is a friendly community that provides everything you need (shops, restaurants, farmers markets, nightlife, and more) just a few blocks from campus.

Kirksvillle

Our History

Although a lot has changed since our founding in 1867, one thing has remained the same: our unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality education and our devotion to helping students move their dreams forward.

Historic Timeline

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Our Mission

Truman State University is here to open opportunity, promote access and social mobility, foster excellence, recognize merit, and do all things that urge our students to make themselves productive, free and equal. Our destination is unmoving – to offer an exemplary and affordable public residential education to well-prepared students that is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. The Missouri Legislature gave Truman a statewide liberal arts and sciences mission in 1985. Truman provides an outstanding liberal arts education to academically talented students from across the state of Missouri, our nation, and the world at an affordable price.

Assessment & Accountability

Truman is nationally known for its assessment program, which is designed to measure student learning and outcomes. Truman’s retention and graduation rates are consistently among the highest in the state.

Affordability & Quality

Truman is consistently recognized in national publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Consumers Digest, Washington Monthly, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and Forbes for being a university that offers a high-quality education at a price that is accessible and affordable.

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Our Values

The mission of Truman State University is to offer an exemplary undergraduate education to well-prepared students, grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, in the context of a public institution of higher education. To that end, the University offers affordable undergraduate studies in the traditional arts and sciences as well as selected pre-professional, professional, and master’s level programs that grow naturally out of the philosophy, values, content, and desired outcomes of a liberal arts education.

Personalization

We're set up to uniquely support students who are curious and motivated to learn. You'll get to connect with other motivated students, build a mentoring relationship with your professors, and join clubs and organizations to help you get the best experience you can for your next steps.

Adaptability

We want you to get specific experiences and outcomes in your program. You're encouraged to bring your interests with you and explore them across areas of study. Lean into your ability to take on challenging material, learn, and apply new ways of thinking to make you more adaptable as you look toward your future.

Hands-on Experiences

You'll develop skills that are in demand now but also anticipate future needs. At Truman, that means you and your peers could be coding a computer program, conducting research with a team, writing a new play, interviewing an expert, or so much more. By the time you graduate, you'll be ready for all your future opportunities.

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Our Outcomes

We don’t just train our students for a successful career, we invest in making them more adaptable as they look toward their futures. The Truman experience is deliberately designed to help students explore their interests to discover their personal and professional purpose. Our educational philosophy pushes students to chase their goals, build their futures, and find success navigating new opportunities as they emerge throughout their lives.

The vast majority of Truman graduates are employed within six months of graduation or are in graduate or professional school, including dental, medical, law, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, pharmacy, and veterinary schools, among others.

Alumni Outcomes