MWSU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Western State University 15:1; Messenger College 8:1.

MWSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or Messenger College? 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 Western State University than Messenger College ($13,126 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Western State University are 7.5% lower than at Messenger College ($12,311 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $1,314 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at MWSU than at Messenger College (about $9,246 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at Messenger College (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 134.6% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($9,245 vs. $3,940).

MWSU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or Messenger College? 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 Messenger College and MWSU.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MWSU - Open admission; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MWSU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Messenger College (2.9).

MWSU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MWSU and Messenger College? 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).

• Missouri Western State University's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Missouri Western State University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More MWSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 40%)

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.