MSU vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

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

Midwestern State University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Midwestern State University 18:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

MSU vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or TLU? 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 TLU ($11,215 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 9.9% lower than at Texas Lutheran University ($11,124 vs. $12,350).
• Texas Lutheran University is 242.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $25,650 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $10,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.1% higher at TLU than at Midwestern State University (about $23,700 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Midwestern State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 125.3% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($24,861 vs. $11,037).

MSU vs. TLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or TLU? 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 TLU and MSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Lutheran University (1130) is 120 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming TLU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Midwestern State University 910/1100; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Midwestern State University 16/22; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test-free; TLU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at MSU (3.2).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than MSU (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at MSU vs. 16.8% at TLU.

MSU vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and TLU? 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).

• Texas Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Midwestern State University graduates have a $4,701 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($22,299 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 56%)

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.