Blackburn College vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 513 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College 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 Missouri Western State University than Blackburn College ($13,126 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 19.5% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($9,915 vs. $12,311).
• Blackburn College is 173.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $17,843 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at Blackburn College than at Missouri Western State University (about $7,283 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 110.4% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($19,456 vs. $9,245).

Blackburn College vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or MWSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MWSU and Blackburn College.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; MWSU - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman MWSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).

Blackburn College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and MWSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $4,182 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($21,818 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($225 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.