ESU vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emporia State University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (4,557 students vs. 2,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emporia State University 16:1; William Woods University 16:1.

ESU vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU or WWU? 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 Emporia State University than WWU ($16,094 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 16.1% lower than at William Woods University ($10,950 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 327% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $23,234 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.8% higher at WWU than at Emporia State University (about $14,921 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Woods University than at Emporia State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 273.1% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($22,204 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU or WWU? 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 WWU and ESU .

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ESU - Test optional; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at WWU (3.4).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 23.6% at WWU.

ESU vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU and WWU? 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).

• William Woods University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Emporia State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $2,018 lower median loan debt than WWU graduates ($19,419 vs. $21,437).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WWU graduates ($200 vs. $221).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

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.