Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN 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 Gustavus Adolphus College based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 1,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus 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: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($13,126 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 4.1% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($11,804 vs. $12,311).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 444.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $45,770 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.7% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Missouri Western State University (about $35,210 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 348.4% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($41,450 vs. $9,245).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; MWSU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 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 Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($21,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($225 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.