Missouri
This state page integrates student data, economic contributions, state policies, effective practices, and other resources to learn about and better support the state’s undocumented, other immigrant, and international students in higher education.
We classify Missouri as a Restrictive state in terms of inclusive in-state tuition and state financial aid policies for undocumented students. The Portal tracks state policies for undocumented students on in-state tuition, state financial aid, professional and occupational licensure, and driver licenses.
State Data
Higher education in the U.S. benefits from the participation of immigrant and international students. First and second-generation individuals comprise 31% of all students enrolled in higher education, a growing figure that underscores the importance of immigrant-origin students in the classroom and our workforce.
| All Students in Higher Education in Missouri | 251,693 |
| First-Generation Immigrant Students | 16,100 |
| Second-Generation Immigrant Students | 21,775 |
| International Students | 34,790 |
|
Note: First-generation immigrants were born abroad and immigrated to the U.S. Second-generation immigrants are U.S.-born individuals with at least one immigrant parent. First-generation immigrants include undocumented immigrants. First-generation immigrants do not include international students on a visa. |
|
The U.S. is home to more than 510,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education. In their pursuit of higher education, undocumented students actively ready themselves to fill critical skill shortages and become better positioned to support their families, communities, and the U.S. economy.
| Share of All Students in Higher Education Who Are Undocumented | 1.0% |
|
Note: Undocumented students are a sub-group of first-generation students. |
|
International students comprise only 5.9 percent of all students in higher education, but provide significant economic, academic and cultural contributions that enrich learning, enrollment and funding opportunities for American students. The topline enrollment number is based on October 2025 data from SEVIS.
| International Students in Higher Education | 34,790 |
| Economic Contributions of International Students in the State | $1 billion |
| Jobs Supported by International Students in the State | 8,032 |
| OPT Participants from State's Institutions (2024) | 12,281 |
| Annual OPT Retention Rate (2022) | 25.50% |
| Retention rate range, 2008-2022 (highest and lowest) | 21.4-40.1% |
|
Note: Optional Practical Training participants are a subgroup of international students. |
|
Immigrant residents, including undocumented immigrants and DACA-eligible residents, play an important role in the state's economy, contributing spending power and paying federal, state, and local taxes.
| All Immigrant Residents in Missouri | 301,306 |
| Immigrant Share of Total Population | 4.9% |
| Undocumented Immigrants in State | 67,940 |
|
Note: DACA-eligible residents are a sub-group of undocumented immigrant residents. |
|
Higher education helps prepare all students, including immigrant and international students, to fill critical career and skills needs.
| State Immigrant Workers Fill Critical Skills Needs | |
| Share of STEM Workers Who Are First-Generation Immigrants | 12.1% |
| First-Generation Immigrant Faculty and Staff in Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | 8,766 |
| Share of First-Generation Immigrants With a Postsecondary Credential | 10% |
|
Note: First-generation immigrants were born abroad and immigrated to the U.S. |
|
You can find additional state data, including by congressional district, in the following resources by immigrant population (AIC) and international students (NAFSA).
State Policies
Evaluating Access for Undocumented & Refugee Students
State policies in four key areas – in state tuition, state financial aid, professional and occupational licensure, and driver licenses – play an important role in expanding access to higher education and workforce development for undocumented students. The section below on in-state tuition also includes policies related to refugee students.
In-State Tuition & State Financial Aid Access and Affordability
Restrictive: Policies actively bar access to in-state tuition or state financial aid for the state's undocumented students, including DACA recipients.
Professional & Occupational Licensure Workforce Entry & Eligibility
No State Policy: No policies identified that actively expand access to occupational licensure for individuals who do not have legal immigration status.
Driver Licenses & Identification Mobility
Restrictive: Policies do not provide the state's undocumented residents with access to driver licenses and state identification, but DACA recipients can still obtain a driver's license or state identification card.
Enacted Policies
Missouri prohibits undocumented residents, including DACA recipients, from accessing in-state tuition and state financial aid. The state does not appear to have legislation that extends occupational and professional licensure to undocumented individuals, including DACA recipients.
Missouri does not provide all undocumented residents with access to driver licenses and state identification.
Missouri’s legislature has adopted language in the state budget since 2015 that prevents public colleges and universities from offering in-state tuition to undocumented students.
Missouri House Bill (H.B.) 3, signed into law on May 8, 2015, clarified that DACA recipients are not eligible for in-state tuition.
Refugee In-State Tuition: The rules of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development [6 CSR 10-3.010] states “Individuals who are not citizens of the United States must possess a lawful immigration status, as determined by the federal government, prior to consideration for resident status as otherwise provided in this rule, except that individuals and their family members who hold F, J, or M visa status are ineligible for resident status.“
Missouri House Bill (H.B.) 390, signed into law on May 15, 2009, prohibits the state’s public colleges and universities from providing financial aid to undocumented students, including DACA recipients.
Missouri Senate Bill (S.B.) 224, signed into law in 2015, prohibits undocumented students from receiving the state’s A+ Scholarship.
Missouri does not appear to have statewide legislation that affirmatively extends occupational and professional licensure to undocumented individuals, including DACA recipients.
Missouri Professional Licensure Requirements & Business Registration
To learn more about professional/occupational licensure requirements, review TheDream.US & Immigrant Finance Resource guide here.
To learn more about state business and tax registration requirements, review TheDream.US & Immigrant Finance Resource guide here.
The information in these guides is based on outreach to the state’s specific licensing boards and each state’s business and tax agencies from April to July 2023 and is subject to change. To get up to date information on requirements, individuals should verify with the appropriate state agency.
Policies do not provide the state’s undocumented residents with access to driver licenses and state identification, but DACA recipients can still obtain a driver’s license or state identification card.
Undocumented immigrants in Missouri do not have access to a driver license or state identification card. Missouri House Bill (H.B.) 361, signed into law on May 13, 2009, specifies that applicants for a driver’s licenses must be U.S. citizens or provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.
Effective Practices and State Resources
Spotlight on effective practices and policy, research, or community-based state resources.
Washington University of St. Louis’ EMPOWER: Building Professional Skills & Opportunities for Refugees
The English Language Program at WashU’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies merges English language development with valuable workforce certifications. The program is specifically designed for refugees looking for career development.
Continue ReadingImmigrant-Origin Students in U.S. Higher Education (Updated September 2024)
This report analyzes the impact of immigrant-origin students on the higher education sector. Immigrant-origin students include first-generation immigrants born abroad and second-generation immigrants, U.S.-born children with one or more immigrant parents. These students are integral to the mission of higher education and to the future of our national economy. Immigrant-origin students drive enrollment growth on campuses, help power the future-trained workforce and economy, increase diversity, and strengthen U.S. national security.
Continue ReadingReport: The Post-DACA Generation is Here
A new report finds that an estimated 120,000 undocumented students will graduate from high school in 2023, with most of them not eligible for DACA. The new FWD.us report, published in May 2023, The Post-DACA Generation is Here, explains how DACA’s unavailability impacts undocumented youth in the U.S.
Continue Reading