Missouri Southern vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

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

Missouri Southern State University is larger than Southwest Baptist University based on total student enrollment (4,147 students vs. 2,199 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Southwest Baptist University is in Bolivar, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Southwest Baptist University 10:1.

Missouri Southern vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University ($11,626 vs. $21,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 6.7% lower than at Southwest Baptist University ($9,119 vs. $9,776).
• Southwest Baptist University is 241.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $21,606 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79% higher at Southwest Baptist University than at Missouri Southern State University (about $13,486 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Baptist University than at Missouri Southern State University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Baptist University students is 150.7% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($19,043 vs. $7,597).

Missouri Southern vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern or Southwest Baptist University? 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 Southwest Baptist University and Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 280 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming Southwest Baptist University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Baptist University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

Missouri Southern vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern and Southwest Baptist University? 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).

• Southwest Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southwest Baptist University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $256 lower median loan debt than Southwest Baptist University graduates ($20,831 vs. $21,087).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Baptist University graduates ($215 vs. $218).
• More Southwest Baptist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.