MWSU vs. Messenger College

Should I go to Missouri Western State University or Messenger College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if MWSU or Messenger College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Missouri Southern Northwest Truman State Central National American University-Independence
Missouri Western State University vs. Messenger College comparison
Missouri Western State University Messenger College College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 MWSU Messenger College
Location Saint Joseph, MO Joplin, TX
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 4,023 19
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website missouriwestern.edu messengercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MWSU Messenger College
Tuition (In State) $6,540 $9,480
Tuition (Out of State) $13,550 $9,480
Room & Board $10,200 $7,832
Avg Net Price $11,917 $17,197
Avg Grant Aid $10,531 $7,812
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 MWSU Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 8
Admitted - 4
Acceptance Rate Open 50%
Enrolled % Open 100%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

 MWSU Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (83%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

 MWSU Messenger College
Graduation Rate 27% 10%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,500 $24,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,818 N/A
Median Loan Payment $225 N/A

Diversity

 MWSU Messenger College
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 54%
% Black 10% 18%
% Hispanic 1% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 8%

Students

 MWSU Messenger College
% In-State 82% 50%
% Out-of-State 17% 50%

Campus

 MWSU Messenger College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Missouri Western State University is larger than than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (4,023 students vs. 19 students)

MWSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or Messenger College?

  • Messenger College is 45% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($9,480.00 vs. $6,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.9% higher at MWSU than Messenger College ($13,550.00 vs. $9,480.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than Messenger College ($11,917 vs. $17,197)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 30.2% lower than costs at Missouri Western State University ($7,832 vs. $10,200)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Missouri Western State University as Messenger College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 34.8% larger than aid received Messenger College ($10,531 vs. $7,812)

Which college is harder to get into, MWSU or Messenger College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Messenger College or MWSU .

  • 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

Which is better, MWSU or Messenger College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Messenger College and MWSU.

  • The graduation rate at MWSU is higher than Messenger College (27% vs. 10%)
  • Graduates from Missouri Western State University earn on average $12,500 more per year than Messenger College graduates after ten years. ($36,500 vs. $24,000)
  • 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/