It's hard to overestimate the importance of higher education to the St. Joseph community.

St. Joseph is home to two college residents, Missouri Western State College and Vatterott College. Benedictine College in Atcheson and Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville are within 30 miles of St. Joseph.

Missouri Western State College has the most impact in more ways than one. With more than 5,000 students and 550 staff members, it is one of the largest employers in St. Joseph.

The college's economic support has a direct economic impact of $139 million on the local community. Missouri Western, the ninth largest employer in St. Joseph, has 550 full-time equivalent faculty and staff and more than 5,200 students. Along with nearby Heartland Health, Missouri Western is consistently one of the most visible collaborators on St. Joseph improvement projects.

Founded in 1965, the relatively young college is a four-year, state-supported institution providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and career-oriented degree programs. The college offers one-year certificates, two-year associate degrees, and four-year baccalaureate programs, as well as professional transfer programs, continuing education courses, seminars, and programs suited to the needs of the community.

In December, Missouri Western received a $250,000 federal grant to support planning for the renovation of the school's Science and Mathematics Building. The funds will allow Missouri Western to plan a $25,000,000 expansion of the facility. Missouri Western also plans additional residence hall that will house up to 400 students.

Missouri Western officials are hopeful the state legislature will approve designation change, making the college Missouri Western State University. Several bills have been proposed to provide university designation in 2003.

Though smaller, Vatterott College offers an important addition of St. Joseph's higher education. Vatterott is an accredited college offering bachelors degrees in computer technology and programs in information technology, several trades and health care.

More recently, Vatterott College has added a range of accredited Associate Degree and Diploma programs. The school also provides short-term, customized training for industry, online training and Degree Plus, a program that offers advanced computer courses specifically for individuals with undergraduate degrees.

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graphic content without permission is prohibited. | Destination Saint Joseph is a supplement to Ingram's Magazine