Joplin, Missouri Colleges and Universities: Get Career Training and Education

Named after a minister, Joplin, Missouri is located in an area referred to as the "four-state" region. The area includes Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Straddling Jasper County and Newtown County, Joplin has a population of 46,830. It is Missouri's fourth most populated city, and the place you'll find Missouri's largest natural waterfall, Grand Falls.

The household median income is $30,555, and the median income for a family is $38,888. According to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, the cost of living in Joplin remains one of the most attractive in the country, at about 14% below the national average.

Joplin boasts several universities and colleges which offer degree programs from technical trades to the arts. The city continues to be a significant economic player in the four-state region. One major employer in the region is trucking company CFI, which takes advantage of Joplin's proximity to the population centers of the country. The health industry is another large industry in Joplin, with over 300 physicians and surgeons and more than 100 dentists.

Other significant employers include:

• Eagle-Picher Industries
• F.A.G. Bearings
• Leggett & Platt (Fortune 500)

Of the fastest-growing industries in Joplin, telecommunications reselling is the leader, reporting a 105% increase between 2005 and 2006. Joplin's career opportunities are above average, with increases at 2.6%, compared to 2% nationwide.

Sources:

• Joplin, MO
• Best Places, Joplin, Missouri
• US Census Bureau, Joplin, MO