Harris-Stowe Foundation, Inc.

Harris-Stowe State University traces its origin back to 1857 when the St. Louis Public Schools founded the institution as a normal school and thus became the first public teacher education institution west of the Mississippi River and the 12th such institution in the United States.

The university is a fully accredited four-year institution with more than 50 majors, minors and certificate programs in education, business and arts and sciences. Harris-Stowe's mission is to provide outstanding educational opportunities for individuals seeking a rich and engaging academic experience. HSSU's programs are designed to nurture intellectual curiosity and build authentic skills that prepare students for leadership roles in a global society.

Harris-Stowe is accessible and diverse, offering the most affordable baccalaureate degrees in the State of Missouri. Eighty-five percent of students receive some form of financial assistance. With approximately 172 full- and part-time faculty and a low 17:1 student to faculty ratio, the University has been named one of the "Top 250 Baccalaureate Schools in the Country" and "Best Bang for the Buck Midwest" by the Washington Monthly. HSSU ranks seventh in the state among 38 public institutions relative to African-American graduates. In recent years, it has proven to be a force in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), by ranking first in the degree production of African-Americans in mathematics.

Harris-Stowe's degree production has increased by 48.5% within the last five years. Major corporations and graduate schools seeking individuals with strong problem-solving abilities and real-world skills recruit Harris-Stowe graduates. Seventy-five percent of HSSU students accept job offers or graduate school placement by graduation.