ATU vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arkansas Tech University is larger than MWSU based on total student enrollment (8,746 students vs. 3,716 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

ATU vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU or MWSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than MWSU ($12,626 vs. $13,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 16% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($10,338 vs. $12,311).
• Missouri Western State University is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ATU (about $1,632 more per year; $10,306.00 vs. $8,674.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.3% higher at MWSU than at Arkansas Tech University (about $6,198 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at Arkansas Tech University (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas Tech University students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($9,901 vs. $9,245).

ATU vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU or MWSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MWSU and ATU.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; MWSU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at MWSU (3.25).

ATU vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU and MWSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Arkansas Tech University earn a median of about $600 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $4,068 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($17,750 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($183 vs. $225).
• More MWSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.