Missouri Southern vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO 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 Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (5,324 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Missouri Southern 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: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

Missouri Southern vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern ($11,215 vs. $11,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 18% lower than at Midwestern State University ($9,119 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $1,620 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.3% higher at Missouri Southern than at Midwestern State University (about $4,550 more per year; $17,080.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Missouri Southern State University (92% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 45.3% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($11,037 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 280 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming Missouri Southern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Missouri Southern students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MSU (3.2).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than MSU (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 12.9% at MSU.

Missouri Southern vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern 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 Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $1,468 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($20,831 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($215 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.