Central College vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA 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 Central College based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Central 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: Central College 11:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Central College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central 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 Central College ($13,126 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 2% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($12,060 vs. $12,311).
• Central College is 103.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $10,682 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Central College than at Missouri Western State University (about $122 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 50.6% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($13,925 vs. $9,245).

Central College vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College 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 Central College.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; MWSU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Central College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College 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).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $5,182 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($225 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.