MSU vs. UTEP

Comparable Facts

Compare Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX with The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at El Paso is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (25,039 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting); The University of Texas at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Midwestern State University 18:1; The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1.

MSU vs. UTEP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso than MSU ($9,305 vs. $11,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at El Paso are 2.3% lower than at Midwestern State University ($10,864 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTEP (about $836 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $9,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.5% higher at UTEP than at Midwestern State University (about $12,972 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at The University of Texas at El Paso (92% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students ($11,037 vs. $10,571).

MSU vs. UTEP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 40 points higher than at UTEP (970).
• Incoming MSU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 19) as students at UTEP (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Midwestern State University 910/1100; The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Midwestern State University 16/22; The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test-free; UTEP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTEP May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UTEP students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at MSU (3.2).
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than MSU (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at MSU vs. 33.5% at UTEP.

MSU vs. UTEP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and UTEP? 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 University of Texas at El Paso's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than UTEP graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $5,049 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,250 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($178 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTEP students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

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.