Friends University vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Friends University in Wichita, KS 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 Friends University based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 1,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Friends University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Friends University 12:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Friends University vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Friends University 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 Friends University ($13,126 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Friends University are 8.3% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($11,295 vs. $12,311).
• Friends University is 231.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $23,886 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.9% higher at Friends University than at Missouri Western State University (about $13,326 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 133.4% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($21,579 vs. $9,245).

Friends University vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Friends University 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 Friends University.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Friends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Friends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Friends University - Test optional; MWSU - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman Friends University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Friends University vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Friends University 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.

• The graduation rate at Friends University is the same as at Missouri Western State University (27% vs. 27%).
• Graduates from Friends University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $2,694 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($21,818 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($225 vs. $253).
• More Friends University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.