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 3,817 26
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) $6,985 $9,600
Tuition (Out of State) $14,685 $9,600
Room & Board $10,975 $12,635
Avg Net Price $12,764 $18,221
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $7,978
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

 MWSU Messenger College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 14
Admitted - 7
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 considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2026

Academics

 MWSU Messenger College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 8:1
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 2% 19%
% Women 4% 35%
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 (3,817 students vs. 26 students)

MWSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWSU or Messenger College?

  • Messenger College is 37.4% more expensive to attend than MWSU for in-state tuition ($9,600.00 vs. $6,985.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53% higher at MWSU than Messenger College ($14,685.00 vs. $9,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Missouri Western State University than Messenger College ($12,764 vs. $18,221)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Western State University are 15.1% lower than costs at Messenger College ($10,975 vs. $12,635)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Messenger College than Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 6.5% larger than aid received Messenger College ($8,500 vs. $7,978)

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/