Henderson State University vs. MSU

Deciding between Henderson State University and Midwestern State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Henderson State University
Midwestern State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • Setting
  • Henderson State University Distant Town
  • MSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Henderson State University 2,055
  • MSU 5,324
  • Type
  • Henderson State University Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Henderson State University #1024
  • MSU #878
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Henderson State University -
  • MSU -
  • Status
  • Henderson State University Non-profit
  • MSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Henderson State University
  • MSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Henderson State University $8,244
  • MSU $10,580
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Henderson State University $10,620
  • MSU $12,530
  • Room & Board
  • Henderson State University $10,000
  • MSU $11,124
  • Average Net Price
  • Henderson State University $20,444
  • MSU $11,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University $7,867
  • MSU $11,037
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University 98%
  • MSU 92%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Henderson State University -
  • MSU 7,803
  • Admitted
  • Henderson State University -
  • MSU 7,297
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Henderson State University
  • MSU 93.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Henderson State University
  • MSU 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Henderson State University 990
  • MSU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Henderson State University 18
  • MSU 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • Henderson State University 3.23
  • MSU 3.2
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Henderson State University B+
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Henderson State University Extremely Easy
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Henderson State University
  • MSU
  • ACT Range
  • Henderson State University 16/21
  • MSU 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • Henderson State University 903/1073
  • MSU 910/1100
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Henderson State University Not reported
  • MSU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • MSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Henderson State University 14:1
  • MSU 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Henderson State University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Henderson State University 31%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Henderson State University $38,400
  • MSU $44,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Henderson State University 48%
  • MSU 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Henderson State University $19,500
  • MSU $22,299
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Henderson State University $201
  • MSU $230
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Henderson State University 41%
  • MSU 36%
  • % Women
  • Henderson State University 59%
  • MSU 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Henderson State University Medium
  • MSU High
  • HBCU
  • Henderson State University No
  • MSU No
  • % White
  • Henderson State University 66%
  • MSU 52%
  • % Asian
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • MSU 3%
  • % Black
  • Henderson State University 24%
  • MSU 14%
  • % Hispanic
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • MSU 17%
  • % Native American
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • MSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • MSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • MSU 4%
  • % International
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • MSU 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • MSU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Henderson State University 74%
  • MSU 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Henderson State University 23%
  • MSU 3%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Henderson State University Yes
  • MSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Henderson State University No
  • MSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Henderson State University Yes
  • MSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Henderson State University No
  • MSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Henderson State University No
  • MSU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Midwestern State University is larger than Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 2,055 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Henderson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Henderson State University 14:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Henderson State University vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than Henderson State University ($11,215 vs. $20,444).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 10.1% lower than at Midwestern State University ($10,000 vs. $11,124).
  • Midwestern State University is 28.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $2,336 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at MSU than at Henderson State University (about $1,910 more per year; $12,530.00 vs. $10,620.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Henderson State University than at Midwestern State University (98% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 40.3% larger than aid received by Henderson State University students ($11,037 vs. $7,867).

Henderson State University vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University or MSU? 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 MSU and Henderson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Henderson State University (990).
  • Incoming MSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Henderson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 903/1073; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 16/21; Midwestern State University 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Henderson State University - Not reported; MSU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Henderson State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at MSU (3.2).

Henderson State University vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Henderson State University and MSU? 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).

  • Midwestern State University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Henderson State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Henderson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have a $2,799 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,299).
  • Among borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($201 vs. $230).
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 48%)

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.