Missouri Southern vs. Rockhurst

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO with Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Southern State University is larger than Rockhurst based on total student enrollment (4,147 students vs. 3,577 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Rockhurst University is in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rockhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Rockhurst University 12:1.

Missouri Southern vs. Rockhurst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or Rockhurst? 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 Southern State University than Rockhurst ($11,626 vs. $25,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 23.5% lower than at Rockhurst University ($9,119 vs. $11,920).
• Rockhurst University is 401.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $36,006 more per year; $44,966.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.3% higher at Rockhurst than at Missouri Southern State University (about $27,886 more per year; $44,966.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rockhurst University than at Missouri Southern State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rockhurst University students is 354.9% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($34,562 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. Rockhurst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern or Rockhurst? 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 Rockhurst and Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 110 points higher than at Rockhurst (1180).
• Incoming Rockhurst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Rockhurst University 1116/1246.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Rockhurst University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; Rockhurst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rockhurst Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rockhurst students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Rockhurst (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 19.2% at Rockhurst.

Missouri Southern vs. Rockhurst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern and Rockhurst? 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).

• Rockhurst University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Rockhurst University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rockhurst University graduates have a $331 lower median loan debt than Missouri Southern graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,831).
• Among borrowers, Rockhurst graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri Southern graduates ($211 vs. $215).
• More Rockhurst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.